Accident: 170401459 - Four Injured By Chemicals Splashed From Pipe
At approximately 7:15 a.m. on February 16, 1997, Employees #1 and #2 were reconnecting the vent riser line of a 5,000 gallon glass-lined reactor. The reactor was used for making diacetone gluconic acid, which was later made into ascorbic acid. Employees #1 and #2 were about 10 ft above the floor on an overhead pipe that ran along the wall of the building and to one side of the reactor. Employees #3 and #4 were standing on the floor next to the reactor. The vent riser line had a cap on its underside to prevent condensed liquid from escaping. When Employee #2 attempted to remove the cap the liquid inside sprayed out, splashing his arms and hand. Employee #1, who was holding the vent pipe and sitting facing the cap, was splashed in the lap and genital area. Employees #3 and #4 were splashed to varying degrees on the neck, face, and arms. All four were hospitalized for observation and released after two days. Employee #1 had the most severe case of skin irritation and swelling; Employees #2 through #4 sustained minor skin irritation.
work rules, chemical, skin, face, arm, head, caustic, accidental discharge, chemical burn, dermatitis
Accident: 170694863 - Contracts Dermatitis From Use Of Cleaning Solvent
Employee #1 sustained contact dermatitis while using a solvent to clean metal parts prior to shipping. Employee #1 was not trained in the hazards involved when using the solvent, or the need for proper hand protection when using the solvent material.
dermatitis, cleaning, cleaning fluid, glove, ppe, untrained, work rules
Accident: 14367098 - Suffer Overexposure To Smoke
At approximately 5:50 p.m. on March 2, 1993, Employee #2 was summoned regarding a problem with the Dispatch curing oven, serial #143925. He and Employee #8 opened the door to the unit, discovered a fire, and began to use extinguishers on it. At the same time, Employee #5 began telling coworkers to evacuate the building. Employees #1, #4, and #7 began opening doors while another employee called 911. Employees #3 and #6 evacuated the facility. Employees #1, #5, #7, and #8 suffered a burning sensation in their throats and tightness of their chests. Employee #2 suffered a burning sensation of the dermatitis-type category on his skin. The remaining workers did not report any ill effects and were checked strictly as a precautionary measure.
fire, oven, skin, smoke, smoke inhalation, chest, dermatitis, throat
Accident: 774166 - Six Develop Dermatitis
At approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 13, 1992, Employees #1 through #6 were working on a pipeline removing a petroleum-based cover and asbestos sheathing. Exposure to the sun's radiant heat, together with the petroleum, caused the employees' skin to react. Employees #1 through #6 were admitted to the hospital for observation and treatment of dermatitis. After the incident, employees were provided with a barrier cream and long coveralls.
dermatitis, ppe, work rules, construction, pipeline, skin, overexposure
Accident: 1001460 - 8 Exposed To Mists Of Cutting Oil
EIGHT MACHINE OPERATORS WERE GRINDING, THREADING AND TAPPING HOLES FOR WASHING MACHINE PARTS IN MACHINE AND ASSEMBLY DEPARTMENTS A, B AND D. THE MACHINES THE EMPLOYEES WERE OPERATING INCLUDED: CINCINNATI MILICRON CENTERLESS GRINDERS, AUTOMATIC SCREW MACHINES AND MULTI-HEAD DRILLS. THE MACHINED PARTS ARE FLOODED WITH CUTTING OIL (MINERAL SPIRITS). THE TRADENAME "HOCUT 757" IS A TYPICALLY USED CUTTING OIL. IT CONTAINS P-CHLORO M-CRESOL AS A BIOCIDE. AT THE POINT OF USE (20:1 DILUTION), A 0.1% TO 0.5% OIL MIST IS GENERATED. CONCENTRATIONS OF 2.1 MG/M3, 1.2MG/M3 AND 1.8 MG/M3 ARE GENERATED AT THE CENTERLESS GRINDERS DUE TO THE SHEARING ACTION OF THE HIGH SPEED (1250 PPM) GRINDING STONES. FOUR EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS SUCH AS COUGHING, PHLEGM, SORE THROAT, TIGHTNESS OF CHEST AND BRONCHITIS. ONE OF THESE EMPLOYEES EXPERIENCED VASCULAR PROBLEMS SUCH AS TACHYCARDIA AND VENTRICULAR ARRYTHMIA. FOUR OTHER EMPLOYEES CONTRACTED DERMATITIS. THE PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY THE LACK OF SPLASH GUARDS AND THE FAILURE TO USE MIST ELIMINATION PROCEDURES.
dermatitis, respiratory tract, inhalation, unguarded, grinding machine, threading machine, chemical vapor, cough, toxic fumes, work rules
Accident: 14210132 - Employees' Hands Exposed To Ethylene Glycol
SIX MEMBERS OF LOCAL #974, HIRED TO DISMANTLE EXHIBITS LEFT FROM THE CONFERENCE OF LASER & ELECTRO OPTICS (CLEO), CAME IN CONTACT WITH A LIQUID WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY SPILLED FROM A WASTE CONTAINER ONTO A CARPET. THEY WERE EXPOSED WHILE THEY WERE REMOVING THE CARPET, OR REMOVING THE TAPE USED TO SECURE THE CARPET. THE LIQUID WAS ALLEDGED TO HAVE BEEN AN ETHYLENE GLYCHOL ETHER TYPE, CONTAINING A FDA APROVED RED COLORING (RHODAMINE) USED IN LASER DEMONSTRATIONS. THE EMPLOYEES COMPLAINED OF BURNING, INFLAMED HANDS FOLLOWING THE TAPE REMOVAL, AND WERE TAKEN TO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BY THE UNION LEADER FOR OBSERVATION AND/OR TREATMENT.
hand, dermatitis, ethylene glycol, toxic waste, burn, skin
