Exposure through intact tissue · Chemical burns, corrosions degree unspecified
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at ImageFIRST Healthcare Laundry Specialists, 399 Executive Boulevard, ELMSFORD, NEW YORK 10523
on — Chemical burns, corrosions degree unspecified, affecting the Abdomen unspecified.
Final narrative
An employee was working to dilute and refill a spray bottle of antibacterial all-purpose cleaner. Some of the corrosive chemical spilled on the employee's shirt that was already wet from water. The employee sustained a bacterial infection and chemical burn to their abdominal area, requiring hospitalization.
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 812331)
An employee was at a customer location making a pickup and delivery of hospital linen. The employee was using the freight elevator to bring a hamper up from the basement to the ground level outside. This elevator has two metal doors that open from the ground to allow the elevator to raise. The employee was on the ground level outside and looking down at the elevator doors as the elevator was on its way up, when the doors jammed together. The employee was freeing the doors with his right hand and the elevator doors closed, causing an amputation to his right middle fingertip.
An employee was throwing blankets onto a blanket folding and stacking machine. A blanket got stuck in the machine and she attempted to remove it when the machine contacted her right little finger, resulting in a fingertip amputation.
An employee climbed 3.5 feet onto a washer to change a valve on the back of the washer. As the employee was tightening the valve with a wrench, the wrench slipped and he fell backward off the washer. His back hit a breaker box before landing on the concrete floor. The employee suffered five fractured ribs.
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.