Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids · Second degree heat (thermal) burns
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at NPL Construction Company, 4550 SE 29th St., TOPEKA, KANSAS 66605
on — Second degree heat (thermal) burns, affecting the multiple face locations.
Final narrative
An employee was using a portable grinder with a wire brush wheel to clean a metallic natural gas pipe in preparation for welding. The flow of natural gas had been stopped with a metallic stopper pin. As the employee was using the grinder, the stopper pin became dislodged from a seated position, resulting in a brief ignition of the natural gas. The employee suffered first and second degree burns to the right side of his face and nose.
Two employees were detaching a boom from a high-track skid steer in order to place a gas line. The injured employee was positioned between the skid steer and the boom attachment while removing the hydraulic hoses. The other employee inadvertently caused the skid steer to track forward onto the injured employee's lower leg and foot, resulting in a fractured left tibia.
Three employees were working in an active work zone when a third-party vehicle entered the work zone and struck a portable light tower. The employees were then struck by the light tower, sustaining injuries. One employee was hospitalized for three rib fractures and a spleen laceration.
An employee was standing on the ground reaching over the rear passenger side wheel well directly adjacent to an affixed catwalk on the rear of a water supply truck. While the employee was operating a drain valve located on the rear of the tank, the employee slipped on snow and ice building up on the street surface. As the employee slipped and fell, they grabbed the catwalk guard railing and their left ring finger caught on the railing corner gusset support, resulting in a partial amputation down to the first knuckle.
On September 9, 2020, an employee was attempting to start a vibrating tamper in order to continue compacting backfill material in a completed excavation. The employee pulled the starter cord multiple times. After the pull which started the engine, the pull cord of the vibrating tamper did not recoil correctly. The employee gathered the excess cord in his left hand in order to prevent an additional slip, trip, or fall hazard. When he engaged the throttle of the machine with his right hand, the pull cord retracted, wrapped around the employee s left thumb, and caused a partial amputation of the thumb tip.
An employee was cleaning a cordless drill. As they applied brake fluid to the drill and pulled the trigger, the fluid ignited. The employee suffered burns to the face, hands, and arms.
An employee was spraying glue to the floor of an enclosed cargo trailer. The fumes made contact with the heater causing a flash fire. The employee suffered burns to their face and right hand.
An employee was replacing a valve in the gas line to the fryer. The shutoff valve malfunctioned resulting in a gas leak that then ignited. The employee sustained burns requiring hospitalization.
An employee was acting as a spotter for a forklift operator. While its forks were being raised, the forklift came into contact with a power line. The employee was touching the forklift's metal frame at the time and was shocked on the left palm. The employee suffered burns to both the left palm and the sole of the left foot.
An employee was working as a fire watch. The employee was exposed to anhydrous ammonia and was not able to see while climbing down a ladder due to eye irritation. The employee fell and was hospitalized for a broken ankle.
An employee was standing on the ground awaiting the lowering of a pipe. After the pipe was lowered to the ground by a skid steer, it rolled and struck the employee's left leg. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured leg.
An employee was tightening a gas pipe with a wrench when the wrench slipped from his hand. The employee's arm then hit a metal cross-brace, resulting in a lacerated arm.
An employee was working to remove a product blockage from a piece of equipment. The employee was struck by a metal bar near the deck of the pin mixer equipment and sustained blunt force trauma to the torso.
An employee was moving a rack onto a lower conveyor in the south heat treat area when their finger got caught between the part tray and the rollers, resulting in a fingertip fracture and amputation.
An employee was climbing a ladder to get on top of the breakroom. The ladder slipped, causing him to fall to the ground. The employee sustained fractures to his upper back, left foot, and ankle.
Two employees were removing a circuit breaker. The injured employee was using wrenches in the removal process. One of the wrenches contacted an adjacent door, resulting in an arc flash. The employee suffered burns to their neck, face, and ear, as well as momentary vision loss due to the flash.
An employee bent over to pick up a rubber mat from the ground. When he grabbed the corner of the mat, a rattlesnake hidden under it bit his left middle finger near the first knuckle. He was hospitalized.