Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue · Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Water Tech, Inc., 7215 Hwy 271 South, FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS 72908
on — Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified, affecting the eye(s).
Final narrative
An employee was pressure flushing a clogged drain pipe that contained a caustic chemical with a pressure washer. The caustic substance in the drain pipe was pushed back out by the water pressure and splashed into the employee's face. His safety glasses were knocked off by the pressure and the caustic chemical got into his eyes. He was hospitalized.
HospitalizedEye(s)Chemicals and chemical products, unspecified
An employee was unloading 50 percent sodium hydroxide from a tanker truck when he became hot and sat down to cool off and drink water. He was hospitalized for possible heat exhaustion.
On November 27, 2023, an employee was emptying a 2-inch product line that transports sodium hydroxide liquid from a rail car to a 275-gallon tote tank. The nozzle came out of the tote and sprayed sodium hydroxide onto the employee's face. The employee was hospitalized with chemical burns to their face, mouth, and neck.
An employee was working with sulfuric acid as part of the production process. While transferring the chemical from a large container to a smaller container, it splashed on his body and hand, resulting in a chemical burn.
An employee knelt in wet concrete while performing work as a concrete finisher and sustained a chemical burn to the right shin. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.
An employee was using a 5-gallon bucket to unload acid product from a tank. Residual product leaked into the containment area, causing the employee to sustain first- and second-degree burns to the chest, as well as third-degree burns to the arms.
An employee was transferring an alkaline cleaning chemical from a bulk container into 1-gallon containers. The employee lifted a gallon container by its label tag. The tag broke causing the container to fall approximately 14-18 inches. The container struck the ground and the contents splashed onto the employee causing chemical burns to their eyes.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 221310)
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On October 5, 2025, an employee was pulling a pressure washer hose when it it disconnected from the cooker. The employee was struck by jets of high-pressure water, resulting in lacerations to their left thigh requiring surgery. The employee was hospitalized.