Struck by dislodged flying object, particle · Fractures
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Glanbia Foods, Inc, 1216 Hwy 26, RICHFIELD, IDAHO 83349
on — Fractures, affecting the multiple head locations.
Final narrative
An employee performing a leak test of 3" pipe was struck in the head with an end cap that dislodged once pressurized air was added to the line. The employee sustained a facial fracture and a skull fracture.
HospitalizedMultiple head locationsCaps, lids, covers, n.e.c.
An employee was working at the calcium flow board when the gasket from the outflowing hydrogen sulfide tank failed. The resultant pressure pushed the sodium hydroxide solution 15 feet to where the employee was working. The chemical caused burns to 12% of the backside of the employee's lower legs.
While troubleshooting a conveyor system, an employee's right hand became caught in the machinery. The employee sustained some degloving and two fingertips were amputated.
Two maintenance workers were servicing an electronic fill button on a nearby 12 to 17 percent sodium hypochlorite chemical day tank. A 1-inch chemical line became dislodged and sprayed both employees, causing chemical burns on their chests, torsos, and arms. Both employees were hospitalized.
An employee was tossing a damaged toilet into a compactor. The toilet bounced off the compactor and lacerated the employee's right wrist, cutting an artery and tendon.
An employee was operating a hydraulic jack to bend a frame when the jack came loose and struck the employee. They were hospitalized for a spleen injury.
A truck had been towed into the shop with a flat tire and a blown airbag. An employee checked the tire for damage and was airing the tire. The employee was installing the valve core when the bead slipped off the rim. Air escaped, and the aluminum wheel struck the employee's head and face. The employee became unresponsive and was bleeding.
On December 14, 2023, at 8:40 p.m., three employees were inspecting milling machines for startup. A few of the sleeves on the mill drum needed to be changed out. The injured employee was trying to input a sleeve on the mill drum using a hammer. The hammer hit the edge of the drum, which caused a metal piece to splinter off and strike the employee's cheek just below the left eye. The metal splinter embedded in the back of their eye socket, resulting in pain, swelling, and bleeding that required hospitalization.
An employee was pushing a line of carts into a vestibule when the door cable snapped and struck his right ankle. The employee suffered a fracture that required surgery and hospitalization.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 311514)
An employee was preparing for a clean-in-place (CIP) process and removed a cap from a pipe to connect another pipe. Hot water (approximately 170 degrees) splashed onto the employee, causing burns to her hands, left forearm, and both thighs.
An employee was checking an inline magnet. The magnet was placed on a cart next to another magnet and the magnets moved toward each other. The employee's right ring fingertip was caught and amputated.
An employee was walking near a spring-mounted valve when the valve opened. Steam was released and burned the employee's arm, resulting in hospitalization.
An employee was diagnosing the lack of flow of product to a powder bin. The employee removed the rotary star valve below the bin. While he was reinstalling the valve, his right middle finger was crushed between its shaft and its housing. The finger was partially amputated.
An employee was standing on a multi-purpose ladder installing head flashing over a window. Their feet were approximately 6 feet off the ground and three rungs from the top. The employee lost their grip on the drill they were using and the ladder tipped over. The employee fell from the ladder to the ground, resulting in a fractured left wrist, bruised chest, and lacerations to their face and lip.
An employee was inspecting the overhead area of a single-person lift and repositioning the lift through a double doorway. As they were transitioning through the doorway, they were caught between the doorframe and the vertical mast of the lift. The employee was hospitalized with injuries to the nose, left maxillary sinus, left orbital bone, and left jaw, with fractures at the maxillary sinus area.
An employee was loading a 4-inch wooden door into a pickup truck when he felt a pop in his right side behind his shoulder blade. He was hospitalized later that day and underwent surgery, having suffered a collapsed right lung.