Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Apex Material Technologies, 10 Industrial Avenue, JOLIET, ILLINOIS 60435
on — Fractures and burns, affecting the multiple body parts, n.e.c..
Final narrative
On November 10, 2018, an employee was in an aerial lift using a propane and oxygen cutting torch while performing demolition of a vessel. During the demolition process, the vessel caught on fire and the employee jumped out of the aerial lift. The employee sustained burns from the fire and a fractured pelvis and wrist from the fall.
HospitalizedMultiple body parts, n.e.c.Nonclassifiable
More severe injuries at Apex Material Technologies
An employee was performing a lockout/tag-out procedure on a tank line and attached an air hose to clean the line. The pressure caused the flank to break, spraying and burning the employee with nitric acid.
An employee was performing oversight for the welding of a pipeline launcher door on a construction project. Two welders were performing arc welding, one on the interior diameter of the pipeline launcher door, and the other on the outside diameter of the launcher door when a flash fire occurred. The injured employee sustained first- and second-degree burns to the face, neck, back, and hands.
While on a scissor lift, an employee was grinding a steel pipe. Sparks from the grinder ignited some nearby rags that had been used to apply coating treatments to the pipe. This fire subsequently ignited the employee's clothing. The employee sustained burns to approximately 46% of their body and was hospitalized.
An employee was working in an area where another company was also working. The other company's employees were using an electric hydraulic pump to remove the bolts of the frac valve. The wiring of the torque wrench and pump unit were then charred and a flash fire occurred. The employee sustained second-degree burns to their face and neck.
On October 17, 2023, an employee was at a sink while using a solvent to unclog a vacuum trap dip tube that contained solids from pinacolborane distillation. During this process, the sink caught on fire and the solvent bottle containing tert-butyl methyl ether fell into the burning sink. The employee attempted to remove the solvent bottle which also caught on fire and suffered burns to their neck and left hand.
An employee was under a railcar cleaning up dust with a vacuum hose. The hose caused a spark that caused a flash fire that ignited the employee's clothing. The employee sustained second- and third-degree burns over 83% of his body.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 324199)
An employee was preparing an oven for charging and cracked the seal of the jump lid to release pressure. Flames unexpectedly released from the oven and burned the employee's right ring and little fingers. The employee sustained second-degree burns.
An employee was starting to work on the change of a conveyor belt and experienced symptoms of heat exhaustion due to high temperatures. The employee was hospitalized with heat exhaustion and dehydration.
An employee had been working to fill lump charcoal into 40-pound bags when the crusher jammed. He was standing at the filling station and went to clear the machine. The employee's gloved right hand was pulled into a belt and pulley, causing the amputation of his little finger and a severe laceration to his ring finger. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery. The machine was guarded and locked out/tagged out at the time.
An employee was uncoupling a hose from an air compressor. The pressurized hose struck the employee's left side, fracturing a rib and lacerating their kidney and spleen.
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.