Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at ELMER W. DAVIS INC., 1 Lomb Memorial Drive, ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14623
on — Thermal burns second degree, affecting the Head and neck.
Final narrative
Two employees went up to a roof to inspect a whistling noise at a work site. Exhaust from a generator near flammable roofing material caused a flash fire. The flash fire resulted in several explosions of materials. The injured employee suffered first- and second-degree burns to their face and neck.
Hospitalized Head and neck Building materials unspecified
The general contractor, their subcontractor, and the local utility company were re-energizing a transformer when it exploded. The top of the transformer blew off and hot oil projected into the air. The injured employee was a bystander to the event and was outside of the exclusion area. Hot transformer oil rained down on him and he sustained first, second, and third-degree burns, as well as hearing loss both temporary and permanent in nature.
An employee was testing a 40mm single-shot tactical launcher with the launcher mounted on her right shoulder and the barrel stabilized with her left hand. After the trigger was pulled, the 40mm barrel tore apart radially and she sustained injuries to her left extremity including the bicep, forearm, index finger, middle finger, and thumb.
An employee was using a forklift to dump metal into a furnace. The furnace exploded, causing burns to multiple parts of the employee's body. The employee was hospitalized.
Two employees were performing metal fabrication work in the garage. The injured employee was using a high-speed handheld grinder when an explosion occurred. Scrap metal struck the employee's right forearm, penetrating the area above elbow and causing bone fractures as well as torn ligaments. The employee was hospitalized.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 238160)
An employee was delivering materials. He was doing his pre-delivery inspection on the roof of the jobsite (a warehouse) when he fell through a plexiglass skylight. He landed on his feet on the concrete floor 14 feet below. The employee sustained fractures to his spine, left ulnar/radius, and right heel. The employee required surgery.
An employee was standing on a multi-purpose ladder installing head flashing over a window. Their feet were approximately 6 feet off the ground and three rungs from the top. The employee lost their grip on the drill they were using and the ladder tipped over. The employee fell from the ladder to the ground, resulting in a fractured left wrist, bruised chest, and lacerations to their face and lip.
An employee fell through a hole in the ceiling and suffered injuries to his side and right arm. When he fell, a piece of concrete fell with him and struck his arm. He was hospitalized.
An employee was laying glue on the corner of a three-story commercial flat roof to apply new thermoplastic polyolefin roofing material. He lost his balance and fell at least 35 feet to the concrete ground below. The employee sustained fractures.
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.