Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Exide Technologies, 413 E Berg Road, SALINA, KANSAS 67401
on — Concussions, affecting the brain.
Final narrative
An employee was using a hand torch while a second employee was cleaning the floor 2 to 3 feet in front of the hand torch. While the second employee was standing in front of the wall-mounted hand torch array, an internal explosion dislodged the cover, which then struck her in the back of the head. She was hospitalized with a concussion and laceration to the back of the skull.
While maintenance employees were evaluating an actuator on top of his work box, the injured employee supplied air to see which direction controlled the valve. When the air released, the injured employee's left index fingertip was amputated by the actuator valve.
An employee was driving a PIT when the employee lost control of the PIT. The employee's left foot slipped, and the left leg became pinned between the PIT and a rack. The employee suffered a severe ankle laceration and a broken heel.
An employee was cleaning leaking plastic from an injection nozzle. As the employee was lifting and dislodging plastic, the nozzle shifted and burst apart. The nozzle struck the employee's mouth and jaw and burned the employee. They also sustained a jaw fracture.
An employee was fueling a tractor with diesel when there was an explosion and a fire started. The employee sustained third-degree burns to 32% of his body, chest, and arms.
An employee was torching materials to free a jam in a baler machine when an explosion occurred, resulting in second-degree burns to their left arm and leg that required hospitalization.
An employee was welding an oil pipe and installing a gauge on the pipe of a drilling rig. As he cut into it with a torch, an explosion occurred. The shockwave of the explosion caused the employee to sustain a concussion and multiple broken bones.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 335911)
An employee was operating material handling equipment when their right foot was caught between the material handling equipment and a railing. The employee sustained fractures to the big toe and second toe.
An employee was operating a forklift when it collided with another forklift at an intersection. The employee suffered a broken lower right leg from a rack of battery plates on the forks of the other truck.
Four employees were moving a 400-pound flange to the ground when part of the load was released and the injured employee's hand became caught between the flange and the ground. The employee sustained a left middle fingertip amputation.
An employee was recycling material by adding it to a molten lead pot. The employee came in contact with the molten lead and suffered burns to the lower back and shoulder.
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.