Contact with hot objects or substances · Second degree heat (thermal) burns
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at STERLING ETHANOL, 450 ANGUS AVENUE, STERLING, COLORADO 80751
on — Second degree heat (thermal) burns, affecting the multiple body parts, n.e.c..
Final narrative
A maintenance employee was unplugging a process condensate drain line. When the plug came loose, 200-degree water shot out and caused 2nd degree burns on the employee's chest, neck, and arm. He was hospitalized.
An employee connected a steam line to a hose to clean equipment when the fitting broke loose. They were struck by steam in the left inner thigh, resulting in burns that required hospitalization.
An employee was making tea when she noticed tea grinds were collecting on the side and water was no longer dripping through the funnel. The employee was checking the funnel when boiling water and tea grinds spilled onto the left side of her body. The employee sustained burns to her neck, back, and arm.
An employee had turned off the ball valve on a waterpipe system and was removing the plug when the coupling system attached to the strainer came apart. Hot water sprayed on his arm and back, resulting in first- and second-degree burns that required surgery.
An employee was using a shovel to remove waste vermiculite from molten zinc. The metal had been placed in a bin and partially hardened. The employee broke through the partially hardened metal; still-molten metal flowed to the employee's steel-toed right boot and entered through the cloth boot tongue. The employee suffered a third-degree burn to the right foot and was hospitalized.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 324110)
An employee was ascending an 8-foot aluminum extension ladder to access and replace a hypochlorite pump located on top of a 7-foot chemical tank. When he reached approximately 5 feet on the ladder, the ladder shifted and twisted to the right. The employee fell from the ladder and landed on his right side. The employee sustained a compound fracture to his right leg just above the ankle, dislocation of his shoulder, and a torn rotator cuff. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was taking a butane gas sample as part of the hydrocarbon refining process. A component disconnected and the butane ignited, resulting in first- and second-degree burns to the employee's forearms and to their face, including their cheeks, chin, and neck.
An employee was driving a carry deck/small crane when its boom made contact with an overhead support beam. The employee was jostled in the cab and suffered a concussion.
An employee was inventorying hammer mill screens when the screens fell on the employee. The employee sustained a laceration to their leg requiring hospitalization.
An ironworker was maneuvering a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP) into position to install a structural beam. The employee was pinned between another structural steel beam that was already installed and the MEWP control box cover. The employee was hospitalized with a laceration to their lip, dislodged teeth, and a fractured jaw.
An employee was delivering materials. He was doing his pre-delivery inspection on the roof of the jobsite (a warehouse) when he fell through a plexiglass skylight. He landed on his feet on the concrete floor 14 feet below. The employee sustained fractures to his spine, left ulnar/radius, and right heel. The employee required surgery.
An employee was removing packaging from a roll of printing substrate. The blade of their utility knife got stuck. The employee used both hands to free the knife and the blade partially amputated their left little fingertip.
A concrete batch plant operator was assisting with clearing spoil piles using a skid steer. The skid steer backed into a stationary screen plant. The employee's left little finger was crushed between the controls of the skid steer and the screen plant, resulting in a fracture and laceration. The employee's finger was surgically amputated.
An employee was standing on an extension ladder, using a torquing tool to remove bolts that secured blades to a rotor. When the torquing tool activated, its reaction arm came around and pinched the employee's right middle finger against a lifting eye. His fingertip was amputated.