Struck by dislodged flying object, particle · Intracranial injuries, unspecified
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Ports America Texas, Inc., 1000 Wharf Road, GALVESTON, TEXAS 77550
on — Intracranial injuries, unspecified, affecting the brain.
Final narrative
An employee was releasing cargo chains tied around an excavator in a cargo hold on level 1 of the vessel. During that time, some of the latch hooks on the chains became wedged and would not budge. A coworker used a pry bar to help release the chains. The coworker pulled on the pry bar, which slipped from the coworker's grasp and flew towards the injured employee. The pry bar struck the injured employee in the head, requiring hospitalization.
An employee was unhooking straps that were securing a shrink-wrapped windmill hub. The employee stepped on the shrink wrap, which was covering a hole, causing them to fall approximately 8 feet. The employee sustained rib fractures and contusions.
An employee was tossing a damaged toilet into a compactor. The toilet bounced off the compactor and lacerated the employee's right wrist, cutting an artery and tendon.
An employee was operating a hydraulic jack to bend a frame when the jack came loose and struck the employee. They were hospitalized for a spleen injury.
A truck had been towed into the shop with a flat tire and a blown airbag. An employee checked the tire for damage and was airing the tire. The employee was installing the valve core when the bead slipped off the rim. Air escaped, and the aluminum wheel struck the employee's head and face. The employee became unresponsive and was bleeding.
On December 14, 2023, at 8:40 p.m., three employees were inspecting milling machines for startup. A few of the sleeves on the mill drum needed to be changed out. The injured employee was trying to input a sleeve on the mill drum using a hammer. The hammer hit the edge of the drum, which caused a metal piece to splinter off and strike the employee's cheek just below the left eye. The metal splinter embedded in the back of their eye socket, resulting in pain, swelling, and bleeding that required hospitalization.
An employee was pushing a line of carts into a vestibule when the door cable snapped and struck his right ankle. The employee suffered a fracture that required surgery and hospitalization.
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