Exposure through intact tissue · Chemical burns, corrosions first degree
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at SAPORITO FINISHING CO., 3119 S. AUSTIN AVENUE, CICERO, ILLINOIS 60804
on — Chemical burns, corrosions first degree, affecting the Forearm(s).
Final narrative
An employee was transferring hydrofluoric acid to containers and then began moving the containers. Acid splashed out of the containers and onto the employee's forearm, resulting in first-degree chemical burns.
An employee was at a client worksite cleaning some rust off a 3 ft. x 4 ft. metal part with an electric drill and a drill bit brush. The drill bit broke and the drill bit/brush lacerated the back of his left hand.
An employee was removing a hose from a chemical tank after filling the tank with hexamethylenediamine (HMD). He checked the line to ensure that the hose was clear, then disconnected the hose at the connection. Residual chemical sprayed onto his face, causing a second-degree burn. He was hospitalized.
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 pressure washing truck scales when they were splashed with water and an unknown chemical on their leg and immediately experienced a burning sensation. The employee was hospitalized with a chemical burn and required surgery.
An employee was on a ladder disconnecting a 1-inch hose, known to have last carried acrylic acid that had been drained. When the hose was disconnected, residual acid dripped onto the employee's shoulder/arm area, causing a second-degree chemical burn.
Employees were removing scaffolding that was used to repair an ion exchange tank. The line was undergoing the regen process when a piece of scaffold struck a PVC pipe that transported hydrochloric acid (HCl). The injured employee was placing material inside a scaffold rack when he was sprayed in the face with HCl and sustained chemical burns to his eyes, face, chest, right arm, and left leg.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 332813)
An employee placed an aluminum step ladder beside a tractor trailer and was removing a piece of scrap aluminum from the trailer that resulted from a motor vehicle accident. While coming down the ladder, the employee fell approximately 6 feet to the concrete. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured T4 vertebra.
On August 26, 2025, an employee was repairing a pipe at a tank. The employee fell and slid down the tank, suffering severe lacerations to the lower arms. The employee was hospitalized.
On August 26, 2025, a temporary employee was assisting a mechanic. The employee was on an overhead crane, removing a chain hoist attachment over a large plating tank. When the platform of the crane was moved, the employee became caught between the platform's railing and a support beam. The employee sustained a punctured lung and fractures to their clavicles, humerus, and ribs.
An employee was adding an all purpose soak and electro cleaner chemical to a water tank to make a cleaner bath. An exothermic reaction caused the 200 F water to splash on him, and he suffered hot water and steam burns to the right side of his face, his upper right arm, the right side of his torso, and his right leg.
At 3:00 AM, on 2/18/2025, an employee was mixing chemicals. The employee had difficulty breathing due to inhalation of unknown chemicals. The employee was hospitalized.
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