An employee was repairing an AC unit and had pumped down the refrigerant to the outside unit. His gauge read less than 0.1 psi and he therefore began to remove a joint using an acetylene turbo torch. However, a quantity of the refrigerant unexpectedly leaked under pressure and was ignited by the torch. This created phosgene gas, which the employee inhaled, causing coughing, nausea and irritation to his throat and lungs. He was hospitalized.
An employee was walking down the hall to retrieve a vacuum when they stumbled and fell to the floor. The employee suffered wrist bruises and a kneecap fracture that required surgery.
An employee was installing a compressor piston. He tripped and fell backward while the piston was in his lap. As he landed, the little finger of his left hand became caught between the piston and compressor piping resulting in a partial amputation of the fingertip. The employee required stitches and the fingertip was reattached.
An employee was doing an oil change. He was walking to get his oil jug when he tripped on an open lift pad, and fell to the ground landing on his right side. The employee sustained a broken right femur and was hospitalized.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 623990)
An employee was working on a hitch, using a hydraulic vise to hold it in place. His left index finger was caught between the vise and the hitch, and his fingertip was crushed. The fingertip was medically amputated at the first knuckle.
An employee was transporting a resident in his care in a work van when he was assaulted by the resident. The employee was hospitalized with a broken neck and an inability to swallow.
An employee had just completed his building check during a security round and was walking down the steps to the sidewalk. As the employee stepped onto the sidewalk, he slipped on ice and fell, resulting in a concussion and bruising of the cervical spine. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was helping a coworker transport a tall palm tree with a mini skid steer. The employee was severely shocked by a high-voltage electrical wire above the ground.
An employee was retrieving a Christmas tree from a shelf using a ladder. He missed a step and fell to the concrete floor. He sustained injury to his head and wrist.
An employee was operating an agricultural tractor during sugarcane harvesting. The employee sustained a lumbar sprain due to vibration or motion from the tractor.
An employee was moving a 3-ton condensing unit, strapped down on a dolly, out of a garage. The strap broke, causing the employee to fall backward onto the brick pavered driveway. The employee suffered injury to a spinal ligament in the neck.