Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue · Second degree chemical burns and corrosions
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Nebraska Nitrogen Geneva LLC, 2240 R St., GENEVA, NEBRASKA 68361
on — Second degree chemical burns and corrosions, affecting the nonclassifiable.
Final narrative
Two employees were removing an anhydrous ammonia truck-loading hose from a portable meter testing station. As they removed the hose, anhydrous ammonia vapor was released and both employees were exposed to the chemical on their upper bodies, resulting in second-degree burns.
On November 27, 2023, an employee was emptying a 2-inch product line that transports sodium hydroxide liquid from a rail car to a 275-gallon tote tank. The nozzle came out of the tote and sprayed sodium hydroxide onto the employee's face. The employee was hospitalized with chemical burns to their face, mouth, and neck.
An employee was working with sulfuric acid as part of the production process. While transferring the chemical from a large container to a smaller container, it splashed on his body and hand, resulting in a chemical burn.
An employee knelt in wet concrete while performing work as a concrete finisher and sustained a chemical burn to the right shin. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.
An employee was using a 5-gallon bucket to unload acid product from a tank. Residual product leaked into the containment area, causing the employee to sustain first- and second-degree burns to the chest, as well as third-degree burns to the arms.
An employee was transferring an alkaline cleaning chemical from a bulk container into 1-gallon containers. The employee lifted a gallon container by its label tag. The tag broke causing the container to fall approximately 14-18 inches. The container struck the ground and the contents splashed onto the employee causing chemical burns to their eyes.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 325311)
A shipping/receiving operator was working on a loading rack, loading a railcar. A 2-inch discharge cap failed and released pressure along with sulfuric acid from the railcar. The acid sprayed onto the employee, who suffered burns to the chest and the lower facial area. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was on the ground unloading fertilizer when he tripped and fell over a cinder block that was on the ground. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured left hip.
An employee was performing maintenance on a pump. They replaced the pump and activated the pump motor for testing. The 7.5 HP mix tank pump impeller caught the employee's shoelace, causing their leg to get pulled against the pump housing. The employee sustained a compound fracture of the lower left leg.
On August 12, 2024, at approximately 3:20 AM, employee 1 opened the dome lid of a sulfur railcar that released hydrogen sulfide gas pressure that had built up inside the car during transportation. Employee 1 became overwhelmed by the gas and fell to the ground. Employee 2 went over to check on employee 1, when they were also overcome by the gas. Employee 2 was hospitalized for observation and employee 1 was hospitalized for inhalation injuries from the hydrogen sulfide gas.
An employee was shocked while working on a breaker at the motor control center, suffering an electrical burn to the left hand, left wrist, left side of the neck, and face.
An employee was stacking concrete blocks for a concrete bunker. As a block was swinging into place, the employee's left leg was pinched between two blocks, resulting in injuries to his left heel and lower leg.
An employee was climbing a ladder to inspect a vent in a restaurant dining area. The ladder slid out on the floor and the employee fell approximately 12 feet onto the ladder and the floor. He was hospitalized with a dislocated shoulder and a back injury.
An employee was filtering a fryer with a fryer filter machine. After going around the corner and then returning to the fryers, the employee stepped into the filter machine. The hot oil burned the employee's right ankle, and the employee was hospitalized.
An employee was cleaning out corn from a grain bin. The sweep auger in the bin was activated and caught his trouser leg. His leg was pulled into the auger, which injured his calf and caused leg fractures and lacerations.