Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire · Surface, flesh wounds and burns, electrical injuries
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Lawrence Industries Inc, 2720 S Cornhusker Ave, HASTINGS, NEBRASKA 68901
on — Surface, flesh wounds and burns, electrical injuries, affecting the Other multiple ear(s), facial locations.
Final narrative
An employee was lighting a pilot light that burns off residual oxygen in the purge chamber of a heat-treating furnace. Residual gas and built-up oxygen in the purge chamber caused an explosion, which blew the front of the furnace's door off its track and the hood/exhaust system off its rivets. The employee was knocked down and suffered burns and lacerations to the left side of his face.
Hospitalized Other multiple ear(s), facial locations Forging machinery
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 332811)
On October 7, 2025, an employee was pulling a customer load out of post-wash equipment when his left index finger was pinched between the sled and the roller on the charge cart conveyor, resulting in a fingertip amputation between the nail and first joint.
An employee was welding a bearing on a piece of equipment. He was lying on the belt while performing this task. The welding rod contacted the employee or the belt and the employee was shocked by electricity. The employee was hospitalized.
A temporary employee was moving a load using a walk-behind powered industrial vehicle (PIV). He backed into a safety bollard and his leg was pinned between the PIV and the bollard, resulting in a crush injury and laceration to the lower leg. The employee was hospitalized for surgery.
An employee was setting up a work piece on the honing machine when his left hand fingers were crushed in a pinch point. The employee sustained an amputation of the distal joint of his ring finger.
An employee was walking up a flight of stairs when they tripped on the top step and fell onto the landing. The employee sustained a broken hip and a shoulder injury.
An employee was stacking concrete blocks for a concrete bunker. As a block was swinging into place, the employee's left leg was pinched between two blocks, resulting in injuries to his left heel and lower leg.
An employee was climbing a ladder to inspect a vent in a restaurant dining area. The ladder slid out on the floor and the employee fell approximately 12 feet onto the ladder and the floor. He was hospitalized with a dislocated shoulder and a back injury.
An employee was filtering a fryer with a fryer filter machine. After going around the corner and then returning to the fryers, the employee stepped into the filter machine. The hot oil burned the employee's right ankle, and the employee was hospitalized.
An employee was cleaning out corn from a grain bin. The sweep auger in the bin was activated and caught his trouser leg. His leg was pulled into the auger, which injured his calf and caused leg fractures and lacerations.