Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire · Traumatic injuries or exposures unspecified
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Terry Black Construction Incorporated, 10603 FM 973, MANOR, TEXAS 78653
on — Traumatic injuries or exposures unspecified, affecting the Part of body unspecified.
Final narrative
Employees dug a trench near a water pump that was previously installed to move water from an above-ground water tank to a future development (the tank was empty as it was still under construction). The employees were to cut into a 20-foot long PVC waterpipe and reroute it to the water pump station. The employees believed that water was inside the pipe when they began to cut. The pipe exploded as soon as the saw breached the piping surface. The pipe had pressurized air inside, resulting in the explosion due to release of pressure. Two employees were hospitalized.
Hospitalized Part of body unspecified Pipes and tubes plastic, PVC, rubber
An employee was conducting torching operations using oxygen and propane to cut metal beams within the recycling laydown area. The employee used a hose with an air chuck connection to fill up the yard pickup truck's back tire with oxygen. The tire blew up which caused the oxygen to ignite. The employee sustained fractures, internal injuries, burns, and lacerations.
An employee was replacing a tire on a wheelbarrow when the tire exploded. The employee sustained fractures to his right hand and an abrasion to the right side of his face. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery on his right hand.
An employee was checking the pressure gauge on a unit from a step stool. As he was stepping down, the ball valve ruptured and grazed the side of his left hand. The employee was hospitalized with an injury to the hand near the thumb and required surgery.
A mechanic was changing out an air spring on a concrete mixer truck cab. The air spring was receiving higher air pressure than it was designed to use, because of a faulty level check valve. This increased pressure caused the air spring to burst. Its top portion separated and struck the employee's left forearm, causing a laceration and fracture. The employee was hospitalized, requiring surgery.
An employee was hydro testing and pressurizing a pipe when it blew. The lid struck the employee, causing a gash to his elbow and injury to his abdominal area that required surgery.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 237110)
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On October 7, 2025, employees were conducting trenching operations for the installation of a new sewer line system. The excavator's bucket was detached and put inside the trench as it was being exchanged for a different-sized bucket. An employee entered the trench with a shovel to move some dirt located at the front end of the pipe. The excavator bucket shifted and slid, striking the employee s right foot and trapping it against the ground. The employee sustained a fractured right tibia.
Employees were working to dislodge a large truck that was stuck in a rut using tow straps and a front-end loader with the bucket removed. An employee connected the straps to the loader and truck and another employee slowly engaged the loader to close the coupler. The injured employee's arm became caught in a pinch point. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured arm.
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