Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at MilliporeSigma, 5485 County Road V, SHEBOYGAN FALLS, WISCONSIN 53085
on — Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified, affecting the multiple body parts, n.e.c..
Final narrative
On October 17, 2023, an employee was at a sink while using a solvent to unclog a vacuum trap dip tube that contained solids from pinacolborane distillation. During this process, the sink caught on fire and the solvent bottle containing tert-butyl methyl ether fell into the burning sink. The employee attempted to remove the solvent bottle which also caught on fire and suffered burns to their neck and left hand.
HospitalizedMultiple body parts, n.e.c.Chemicals and chemical products, unspecified
An employee was cleaning a gauge using MTBE (methyl-tert butyl ether) from a header that pipes into a stainless steel sink in the cleaning room of the production distillation building. As the employee was cleaning, they noticed a fire in the sink. The fire flashed upward toward the employee, causing them to sustain first-and second- degree burns to the hands, arms and face.
An employee was performing oversight for the welding of a pipeline launcher door on a construction project. Two welders were performing arc welding, one on the interior diameter of the pipeline launcher door, and the other on the outside diameter of the launcher door when a flash fire occurred. The injured employee sustained first- and second-degree burns to the face, neck, back, and hands.
While on a scissor lift, an employee was grinding a steel pipe. Sparks from the grinder ignited some nearby rags that had been used to apply coating treatments to the pipe. This fire subsequently ignited the employee's clothing. The employee sustained burns to approximately 46% of their body and was hospitalized.
An employee was working in an area where another company was also working. The other company's employees were using an electric hydraulic pump to remove the bolts of the frac valve. The wiring of the torque wrench and pump unit were then charred and a flash fire occurred. The employee sustained second-degree burns to their face and neck.
An employee was under a railcar cleaning up dust with a vacuum hose. The hose caused a spark that caused a flash fire that ignited the employee's clothing. The employee sustained second- and third-degree burns over 83% of his body.
An employee was hand tightening bolts at the manway of a vertical tank at an oil and gas site. The employee hooked up the plumbing and hatch to the tank. They had begun to install a rubber seal around the hatch when a flash fire occurred. The employee sustained a burn to the face and third degree burns to the left arm requiring hospitalization.
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