Earl W. Colvard, Inc.

An employee was working in the baking chambers of the tire retread center for 5.5-6 hours in approximately 100-degree heat. He developed severe pain and full body cramping. The employee was hospitalized with severe dehydration and heat exhaustion resulting in back pain and a kidney injury.

An employee was airing a 10.00-20/stud-pilot wheel when it exploded. The employee sustained a displaced right leg fracture, soft tissue damage to the chest, a severe laceration across their cheeks and nose, and a displaced jaw with broken teeth that required surgery.

An employee was airing an unmounted tire when the tire popped, striking employee's left and right hands with the wheel of the tire. The employee sustained a right-hand knuckle jam as well as a laceration and fracture between the first and second digits of the left hand that required surgery.

An employee was loading and unloading tires from the back of a pickup truck when they slipped and fell, striking the back of their head on the forklift. They sustained a skull fracture.

An employee was injured by a tire exploding. The employee sustained a contusion to right forearm and abdominal area as well as lacerations.

An employee was using an air compressor on a multi-wheel tire when the flange and the tire burst, causing the wheel's lock ring to strike the employee in the face. He sustained a laceration and facial fractures.

An employee was changing the connection to a compressed nitrogen tank when the system failed and exploded. One employee suffered a concussion and was hospitalized. The other employee sustained soft tissue injuries that did not require hospitalization.

An employee was putting air in a tire that was mounted on a customer's vehicle when the tire exploded, resulting in a left arm fracture that required hospitalization.

An employee was working in a kitchen when a spray can of oil exploded. Hot oil splashed onto the employee, burning their face and arms.

On October 24, 2023, at 12:00 PM, an employee was visually checking a gauge on the "U" controller when a pressure tank exploded. The employee was hospitalized with multiple facial fractures and required surgery.

An employee was repairing the suspension of a semi-trailer. He was installing an air bag to the suspension when his left ring finger was crushed between the air bag and the suspension mounting beam. The employee was hospitalized.

An employee was refueling a pressure washer when it ignited and exploded. He suffered multiple third-degree burns to his chest and hands.

A mechanic had just finished a repair on a straight truck with a flatbed , which had been lifted using a bottle jack. As the employee was about to remove the jack, it failed. The truck shifted forward, dropped down, and struck the employee's chest. He suffered broken ribs and a broken shoulder.

An employee was performing diagnostic work on a vehicle engine. As the employee was leaning over the front of the vehicle, the engine was activated. A fuel leak had produced fumes around the engine, and the ignition spark ignited them. The employee suffered second-degree burns to both hands, both biceps, and the upper chest area.

An employee was hot patching a tire, which involves lighting a flammable liquid on fire to patch the tire. The flammable liquid contacted his arm, and he sustained burns to his arms and face.

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 inspecting a generator whose radiator was leaking. He slipped, and a fan blade in the generator amputated his thumb and index finger.

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.