Contact with hot objects or substances · Second degree heat (thermal) burns
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Caledonian Alloys, Special Metals, HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA 25705
on — Second degree heat (thermal) burns, affecting the multiple body parts, n.e.c..
Final narrative
On April 26, 2016, at approximately 6:00 p.m., an employee was changing a filter basket that removes fines from the alkaline cleaner. The employee unscrewed the lid and was struck by hot water and detergent (sodium hydroxide mix) under 26 psi, causing second and third degree burns to his upper torso, arms, and back. He was wearing a hard hat, eye protection, hearing protection, boots, and nitro gloves at the time. Chemical resistant clothing was not worn, and lockout/tag-out was not performed, while the filter was being changed.
An employee was using an alligator shear to cut a nickel alloy plate when his hand and thumb contacted the shear's nip point. The bone behind his knuckle was crushed/fractured.
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 331110)
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An employee was working to close a furnace door. The hydraulic mechanism that opens and closes the furnace door was non-operational and had been disconnected to allow the furnace door to be opened manually. As the employee was releasing the pins that held the door open, the door and the hydraulic cylinder fell, pinching their left hand between the hydraulic cylinder's base plate and the furnace. The employee suffered amputation of the little fingertip.
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An employee was climbing down a 15-foot multipurpose ladder. The employee fell about 8 feet, landing on the concrete floor and the ladder itself. The employee suffered several injuries, all on the right side: broken ribs, a broken sternum, a broken temporal bone, broken shoulder, multiple fractures to the cheekbone, and a brain bleed.
An employee was rolling up the landing gear on his trailer when the handle began to unwind and struck his face, fracturing his jaw. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.