Exposure through intact tissue · Chemical burns, corrosions degree unspecified
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at MARS PETCARE US, INC., 10000 ROBERTS BLVD, FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS 72916
on — Chemical burns, corrosions degree unspecified, affecting the Hand(s) and arm(s) n.e.c..
Final narrative
An employee was changing a part in a mixing room. While removing the part, the employee came into contact with a caustic chemical that burned the employee's left hand and arm. The employee was hospitalized.
Hospitalized Hand(s) and arm(s) n.e.c. Nonflammable Liquids and Solids unspecified
An employee was clearing a backup from an extrusion machine. The backup caused hot water, steam, and raw material to flow out of the bypass chute onto the floor. As the employee was shutting down the equipment, he slipped on the floor and landed in the material resulting in thermal burns to the back, hand, hip, and leg.
An employee was cleaning at an machine operator workstation when an unassociated hot water pipe failed and sprayed the employee. The employee suffered burns to the arm and torso.
An employee was transferring two metal bins half full of product to the mill area for production using a forklift truck. As he exited the truck to open the bin door, the bin fell on top of him, crushing the lower half of his body and breaking one leg.
An employee was attempting to clear a clog in the rotary air lock of a central vacuum with his fingers. The first and second fingertips on his right hand were amputated, with no bone loss, in the dryer area.
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 311111)
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On October 5, 2025, an employee was pulling a pressure washer hose when it it disconnected from the cooker. The employee was struck by jets of high-pressure water, resulting in lacerations to their left thigh requiring surgery. The employee was hospitalized.