Contact with hot objects or substances · Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Pexco LLC, 1600 Birchwood Avenue, DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS 60018
on — Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified, affecting the multiple body parts, n.e.c..
Final narrative
A maintenance employee was responding to an extruder machine that had a malfunctioning water cooling unit. When the employee went to see what was wrong, the machine released hot water and steam, which struck the employee in the arm, torso, and feet. The employee suffered burns to the skin and was hospitalized.
HospitalizedMultiple body parts, n.e.c.Steam, vapors, liquids, ice, n.e.c.
A maintenance employee was performing maintenance on a cutter machine, replacing the drive gear and motor belt. As the employee was adjusting the belt, the machine cycled and rotated the flywheel. Two bolts on the side of the flywheel caught the employee's right hand, crushing and lacerating the index fingertip and damaging the middle fingernail. The right index fingertip was surgically amputated just below the fingernail.
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 326121)
An employee was blowing out material in the blow-out booth when the silo magnet came down on his left hand, amputating the index and middle fingertips.
At the maintenance shop, an employee was drilling plastic parts using a drill press. The employee's left glove got caught in the drill, and half of her left ring finger and her left little fingertip were amputated.
A maintenance technician was servicing an extruder and removed the cam locking pin on a hot water/steam line to change a water hose. Hot water/steam sprayed out, striking the employee on the right forearm and the right side of their neck. The employee sustained burns to their neck, right forearm, and right leg.
An employee was entering an area while carrying a tray containing 20 pounds of product. A plastic curtain came into contact with the employee's shoulder; the employee suffered a herniated disc while dislodging the curtain.
An employee was working on a cutting line that utilized a machine to pull material through the line. The employee was turning a roller to feed material into the machine when their left hand was caught between the rollers, resulting in abrasions and a dislocated thumb. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery on the thumb.
An employee was changing a die in a press when the die slipped and crushed the employee's left index finger. The employee sustained an open facture of the tuft of the left distal phalanx and a partial amputation.
An employee was driving a boom lift (in the lowered position) in an exterior dock area. The lift s left wheels rolled onto base plates that covered a 3-foot-deep sump pit. The base plates failed, and one side of the lift dropped. The employee's left leg was caught under the lift basket, and he suffered a fracture to the lower leg including the ankle.