Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Cobey Inc., 1 Ship Canal Parkway, BUFFALO, NEW YORK 14218
on — Thermal burns degree unspecified, affecting the Head and extremities.
Final narrative
Employee 1 was cleaning a paint gun using paint thinner when employee 2 started a lighter nearby and the cup of paint thinner ignited. Employee 2 dropped the cup and the ignited paint thinner spilled, causing burns on employee 2's arms, legs, hands, and face.
Hospitalized Head and extremities Cleaning and polishing agents unspecified
An employee was investigating the accumulation of condensation at a pipe connection and was inspecting the flange at the connection. The residual pressure in the system caused the pipe to release from the connection and strike the employee, fracturing his neck, back, collarbone, and multiple ribs and lacerating the back of his head.
An employee was using a torch to loosen a bolt on a water trailer. Natural gas was present in the water and it ignited, causing a fire. The employee sustained third-degree burns to their upper leg.
An employee had been removing phosphorus pentasulfide while on a scaffold. He was using a non-sparking tool to dislodge the phosphoric material. The employee noticed a flash of flame. He descended the scaffold, but the flash ignited residual phosphorus pentasulfide that was on the outside of the employee's personal protective equipment (PPE). He sustained thermal burns to his right hand and right calf.
An employee was taking a butane gas sample as part of the hydrocarbon refining process. A component disconnected and the butane ignited, resulting in first- and second-degree burns to the employee's forearms and to their face, including their cheeks, chin, and neck.
An employee was troubleshooting a power washer in the field. Because there might have been water in its fuel, he brought it back to the shop and drained about a gallon of fuel from the tank into a plastic container. Some of the fuel spilled onto the floor and ignited. The employee was stomping out the fire when he lost his balance and tripped into a stool, which caused the plastic container to spill more fuel onto the fire. The employee's pants and shirt caught on fire, and he fell, abrading his knee while trying to get through the flames. As well as the knee abrasion, he suffered burns to the left leg and left lower quadrant of the torso. He was hospitalized.
An employee was fueling a gasoline-powered pressure washer with a safety fuel can. During the transfer the fuel ignited, causing a fire. The employee sustained burns to his nose, and his right hand and forearm.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 333912)
An employee was spotting a crane when the load (fabricated skid for packaged equipment) that was being picked up came loose and fell on the employee. The employee sustained a crush injury resulting in a fractured pelvis.
An employee was setting up dies on a die casting machine. The machine's ram unexpectedly returned from the down position and caught the tip of the employee's right thumb against a pinch point in the shot sleeve. The employee suffered an open fracture/amputation to the thumb tip. The machine was not locked out at the time.
An employee was servicing a reciprocating air compressor when their left middle finger was caught in a belt motor pulley sheave while manually moving the belt. Approximately 1/4 inch of the employee's left middle fingertip was amputated.
An employee was checking the function of newly installed actuators when they were struck by a pressurized release pipe. The employee suffered fractures to the orbital socket and shoulder, requiring hospitalization.
An employee was operating a battery-powered broom to clean demolition debris off the top of the outermost bridge girder. The girder was approximately 11 feet above the demolition scaffold below. The employee fell approximately 8 feet to wind bracing below. The employee was hospitalized with a pelvis/tailbone fracture. Fall protection was in place at the time.
An employee slipped while descending in a stairwell, fell, and suffered multiple contusions/bruises to the head, neck, shoulders, knees, and back. She was hospitalized.
An employee was directing trucks as they entered and left a highway work zone. A vehicle struck them, resulting in multiple fractures and other injuries. The employee was hospitalized.