Exposure to harmful substance multiple routes of exposure · Burns and toxic effects (including smoke inhalation)
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Midwest Ag Energy, 2841 3rd St SW, UNDERWOOD, NORTH DAKOTA 58576
on — Burns and toxic effects (including smoke inhalation), affecting the Body systems and other part(s) of body.
Final narrative
An employee was removing contaminants from a low point drain on an ammonia line through a hose and into a container of water. A release of pressure from the end of the hose exposed the employee to anhydrous ammonia, resulting in chemical burns to his face, arm, and chest as well as ammonia inhalation. He was hospitalized.
Hospitalized Body systems and other part(s) of body Ammonia, ammonium compounds
An employee was performing a maintenance test of a hydraulic component (case drain overheat switch) that involved disconnecting the hose/switch. Hydraulic fluid began leaking and the employee went to reconnect the hose/switch but fire-resistant hydraulic fluid sprayed the employee's face, eyes, and mouth. The employee ingested some of the hydraulic fluid.
An employee was performing preventative maintenance on a tanker trailer. He moved a hose for an inspection date and residual liquid toluene diisocyanate (TDI) came out of the hose and onto the employee's face, eyes, and hands. He was hospitalized with breathing issues.
An employee was changing out a hose on a chemical tote. The fitting for the tote disengaged and the employee was exposed to peracetic acid that caused chemical burns and respiratory distress.
An employee was working to unplug a 1.5-inch hydrated lime injection nozzle and disconnected a flexible hose at a camlock fitting to access the nozzle. When the line cleared, the hydrated lime released the blockage and blew into the employee's face. The employee ingested and inhaled hydrated lime (a respiratory irritant) and was hospitalized.
An employee was operating a press. A billet was uneven as it entered the loader; it hit the ram and then sheared off a hydraulic line, which sprayed hydraulic fluid into the employee's mouth and was ingested. The fluid was ignited, and the fireball caught the employee's hair on fire and he sustained first-degree burns to his forehead and hand. Ingestion of the fluid and inhalation of the fumes affected the employee's airway. He was hospitalized.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 325193)
An employee was backing up a forklift when the frame of the forklift clipped the wall. The employee's right little finger was pinched between the wall and the forklift, resulting in amputation.
At about 7:00 a.m. on February 11, 2025, an employee was troubleshooting a system that had failed to start. Suspecting a tripped breaker and intending to test the system's motor leads, he hooked up an insulation resistance tester. The side of the breaker the tester was hooked up to was still energized, resulting in an arc flash. The employee was hospitalized with second-degree burns to his face and right arm.
An employee was preparing hopper rail cars for loading. The employee fell from the platform used to access the rail car lids, landing in an empty hopper and suffering broken ribs.
An employee was changing eye bolts on a strainer when their right foot slipped on hot slurry mash, resulting in injuries to their right shin and upper ankle.
An employee was on the ground working to close a trailer door. The door was caught by the wind and blew the employee backward. He landed on his back and sustained four fractured ribs, requiring hospitalization.
An employee was walking on top of boiler to close a valve. The employee fell off the boiler and landed on the floor, sustaining fractured ribs. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was exiting a loader and coming down the ladder. His hand slipped off the railing and he fell backward onto sandy ground, landing on his side. The employee was hospitalized with a fractured pelvis and a rotator cuff tear.