Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids · Second degree heat (thermal) burns
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Mohawk Industries Inc., 400 Clarence King Pkwy, CALHOUN, GEORGIA 30701
on — Second degree heat (thermal) burns, affecting the multiple body parts, n.e.c..
Final narrative
An employee was taking an LP tank to the refill station when a propane flash fire suddenly occurred, causing second degree burns to the employee's hands and face.
On July 31, 2025, two employees were walking near a friction wash tank when a rubber gasket on top of the tank blew. Hot water mixed with 50% caustic chemical sprayed out and rained down on the employees. Both employees were brought to an emergency shower and were neutralized with vinegar. One employee was hospitalized with chemical and thermal burns to their upper back and eyes.
On December 29, 2024, at 1:30 PM, an employee was using a safety knife to move an object from the conveyor when it became stuck in a pinch point between two rolls of an extrusion machine. The employee's right hand was pulled into the machine, resulting in amputation of the hand.
On December 20, 2024, an employee was preparing to remove the access panel for the rotary valve gear box underneath a washer in polymerization. When he began loosening the bolts from the rotary lock cover, hot water and steam pressure released and caused second-degree burns to the employees stomach, both thighs, and the left calf area.
An employee was operating a press when the timing belt came loose. The machine was turned off. As the employee began to adjust the belt, the pulley on the table moved and his right middle finger was caught between the belt and pulley and amputated.
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.
On September 10, 2025, an employee was working to fix a slipping carpet on a conveyor. He went to lift the carpet and put it back on the top rail when the conveyor belt caught his right hand and a roller subsequently caught his arm. The employee was hospitalized with a broken forearm.
On July 31, 2025, two employees were walking near a friction wash tank when a rubber gasket on top of the tank blew. Hot water mixed with 50% caustic chemical sprayed out and rained down on the employees. Both employees were brought to an emergency shower and were neutralized with vinegar. One employee was hospitalized with chemical and thermal burns to their upper back and eyes.
On May 27, 2025, an employee had been sweeping the floor around the sort and grind line conveyor. She was wiping down the frame of the conveyor when her right arm was drawn up between the conveyor belt and the snub roller underneath the conveyor. She sustained fractures to her upper and lower arm.
On January 29, 2025, an employee was operating an extrusion machine. He put a broken piece of yarn on the secondary roller and his glove was pulled into the nip rollers. The employee's left little fingertip was partially amputated.
On December 20, 2024, an employee was preparing to remove the access panel for the rotary valve gear box underneath a washer in polymerization. When he began loosening the bolts from the rotary lock cover, hot water and steam pressure released and caused second-degree burns to the employees stomach, both thighs, and the left calf area.
An employee was helping to lift the grating from a floor draining system when the grating slipped and landed on his hand, resulting in the amputation of his right middle finger at the first joint.
During a workshop meeting in a hotel, an employee heard a drilling noise, so he walked outside to see what it was. An explosion occurred (possible gas line) and his face, ear, and hair were burned. He also fell and sustained a pelvic fracture.
An employee was using a tool to remove a rag from a roll on the tube mill. The roll pulled the tool and the employee's right hand into the roll, resulting in a partial amputation of the little finger and a fracture to the index finger.