INDUSTRIAL
OIL RIG Oil rig worker critically injured in industrial accident in Gaines County (an oil rig worker, 34, remains in critical condition following an industrial accident – he was airlifted after a metal object struck him in the head as he was working – the driller said he saw a metal object called an elevator ear break, fall and strike the worker on the forehead – investigators believed the elevator ear fell about 30 feet before it hit him and knocked him to the ground – he was wearing a hard hat at the time, but witnesses told investigators he was looking up at the object as it fell)
HOTWORK FIRE Fire at plant in Wilkins extinguished (firefighters have successfully squelched a blaze at an industrial plant that was likely sparked by a worker using a blowtorch – it was largely contained to four 55-gallon drums that contained aluminum metal shavings, a highly flammable material – the worker was using a blowtorch to open one of the drums – fire damaged a garage and some equipment in the garage)
STEAM EXPLOSION Worker from Leetsdale copper plant treated for burns (a worker was being treated at a burn unit after he was burned by a steam explosion at a plant that slightly injured two other workers – accident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. in the casting area, where workers were processing 12-foot-long copper ingots – the blast of steam hit the first worker and penetrated his fire retardant suit in several places, burning his legs, arms and face – he suffered burns over 20 to 25 percent of his body and was flown by helicopter to the burn unit – the other two workers were standing behind him and suffered minor burns – both were treated and returned to work later in the day – charcoal was blown from the furnaces as high as the plant’s rafters and ignited a small fire – a plant emergency crew and firefighters from outside the plant quickly put out the blaze)
FALL Landfill Worker Wounded After Falling From Train (a worker at a landfill remains in intensive care after falling from a train – accident happened at the Landfill in the company’s rail yard while a train was headed to the landfill – the worker has non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by medical helicopter to a local hospital)
FATAL FALL Minot man dies after falling at an oil rig site near McGregor (a worker, 28, died in an accident at an oil rig in – he died as the result of a fall at an oil rig site)
Fallen tree kills forestry worker (a forestry worker, 50, has been killed in an accident – a tree he was felling is understood to have collapsed on top of him – he died at the scene of the incident)
GUARDING on TABLE SAW Burnham worker almost severed arm in horrific accident (a furniture maker, 28, almost severed his arm while cutting wood – he cut most of the way through his left arm while slicing wood with a cross cut saw he had only limited training on – he had only been given five minutes’ training on how to operate the saw – inspectors also concluded a properly adjusted nose guard would have prevented the accident)
ELECTROCUTION Death of worker investigated a 29-year-old worker, an electronics technician, was testing electrical transformers when he was believed to have been electrocuted – he was pronounced dead at the scene)
CRANE Firm Fined after Three-Tonne Steel Tank Falls on Worker in Work Accident (a company has been fined after a large three-tonne steel tank fell on to one of its workers – he was part of a team who were lifting a large steel process tank using a crane and chains – the chains were attached to a temporary lifting bracket which had been welded onto the tank – while the tank was in the air, the lifting bracket broke off the tank and it fell onto the worker – he received multiple fractures to the pelvis, spine and ribs – he also sustained fractures to his leg and ankle, and head injuries)
MINE Man trapped under equipment at Wadesville flown from scene (a man was flown to a trauma center following an industrial accident – a man was trapped under a piece of heavy equipment at a strip mine operation – he was extricated in fewer than 30 minutes from the time the call for help was received – he was MedEvac’ed to a hospital)
GUARDING & LIGHT CURTAIN DEFEATED Worker Dragged Into Machine in Horrific Work Accident (a worker at a food packaging firm suffered serious personal injury when he was dragged into a machine – he became caught between the machines two huge rollers, which pulled him in, causing severe friction burns to his arms and upper body – his arms being so severely injured, that they required skin grafts – an investigation revealed that the machine was fitted with an infra red sensor, which caused the machine to stop instantly if anyone got too close to the rolling mechanism – HOWEVER, the company had disabled it, as the safety device was being triggered by paper dust particles generated by the machine, which was holding up production – since the accident they have installed a pressure mat, which will stop the machine when someone steps on it, ensuring workers cannot come into contact with the revolving rollers)
FATAL EXPLOSION A Romanian worker died in an explosion in Sicily at a fireworks factory (two workers, 39 and 75, died and another one was hurt in an explosion at a fireworks factory – the explosion took place at 10:30 AM which was followed by a fire)
GUARDING Worker badly injured at Irish fuel tank factory (an investigation is under way after a worker, 21, was badly injured in an accident at a plastics factory when his arm became trapped in machinery – plant manufactures plastic diesel and heating fuel tanks)
CRUSHING FATALITY in GARBAGE TRUCK Binman crushed to death in the back of dustcart as horrified householders look on (a dustman, 44, died after being crushed to death by the massive jaws at the rear of his bin lorry – residents watched as the worker got trapped in the waste crusher of his bin lorry at 12.40pm – he was emptying household bins into the back of the truck when he got trapped by the giant metal jaws and was crushed to death – firefighters desperately tried to free him from the mechanism, but he was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering horrific injuries to his head and torso)
FATAL PRESSURE VESSEL EXPLOSION Investigations after ‘massive’ factory explosion kills worker (investigations were under way after an explosion killed one worker, 42, and left another worker, 51, fighting for life after an explosion at a waste treatment plant – his condition was described as serious but stable – he is being treated for potentially life-changing head and body injuries – the men are understood to have become trapped when a pressure vessel blew up, sending debris on to the road)
FATAL EXPLOSION One killed, 12 hurt in factory blast one person was killed and 12 others injured in a mysterious blast at a newly-operational chemical factory – the deceased is a factory worker – six of the injured include fire brigade personnel – the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals where their condition is reported to be critical – the explosion tore the container apart, strewing metal pieces across the premises and the nearby area, and also split the columns and beams supporting the container)
UPDATE on FATAL HOTWORK EXPLOSION Fines levied in Indiana Township explosion that killed 2 (OSHA has fined two companies involved in an oil tank explosion that killed two workers at a natural gas well in July – one company has been ordered to pay a $159,390 penalty and the other has been ordered to pay a $70,000 penalty – the explosion July 23 ignited a gas well fire that burned for 10 hours before being extinguished – one company owns the well and had contracted with the other company to repair a leaking barrel tank at the well site – one was cited for two “willful violations” involving: failure to ensure workers were welding on a thoroughly cleaned tank that did not contain flammable materials and failure to determine whether flammable/combustible or other hazardous materials were present – investigators found that oil had never been drained below a valve about a foot above ground – the contractor was also cited for “serious violations”: failure to provide workers with flame retardant clothing protection while welding, failure to ensure that supervision determined the welder secured approval before beginning welding operations, failure to train employees in the specific procedures needed to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals)
EXPLOSION No injuries reported in Redford plant explosion (no one was injured about 9:15 a.m. during an explosion at the firm that provides liners to industries that use corrosive materials – two workers were sent to a clinic as a precaution)
Early morning fire at Bangchak oil refinery in Bangkok controlled in half hour (fire broke out at 7am at an oil refinery but was brought under control – the cause of the blaze was an irregularity of a hydrocracker – the fire and safety alarm system decelerated pressure immediately in the unit so fumes were emitted and huge flames were seen – the fumes presented no threat of danger to the nearby community as a repair and fire response team brought the blaze under control within 30 minutes of the accident occurring – no injuries were reported)
AMMONIA 12 people treated for ammonia gas inhalation (twelve people had to receive treatment after a gas leak at two factories – the workers came into contact with Ammonia gas – a fault leak has damaged the ammonia pipe and the 12 patients sustained shortness of breath as the result of the emission of the ammonia into the air – fire brigade has since isolated the leak and the area has been declared safe)
UPDATE Company Fined After Mechanic Suffers Fall from Height Work Accident (a mechanic, 21, suffered serious personal injury when he fell fifteen feet from an improvised platform attached to a forklift truck – he required an operation after fracturing his hip in the fall – investigation into the accident revealed that the young mechanic was standing on a makeshift platform, which had been constructed by a fellow employee and placed on the forks of a forklift which had then been raised in order to change a light that was on the top of a high sided vehicle – as the worker leant across on the platform it toppled over, due to the fact it was not securely attached and both worker and platform crashed to the ground)
CONSTRUCTION
TRENCH Construction worker injured in trench cave-in (a construction worker was rescued by County fire and emergency crews after suffering injuries caused by an on-site trench accident in a three-foot trench – the electrical worker was burying conduit along the intersection when the roadway curb caved in on him – concrete fell on his lower extremities, injuring his leg – authorities are not certain if he has any broken limbs, and he was taken to Hospital for further testing)
FALL into WASTE WATER TANK Worker rescued after falling into water tank (crews rescued an inspector who fell 10 feet into a waste water tank – the subcontractor was hired to inspect the tank when he fell off a ladder and into a utility area of the tank- the rescue proved difficult because the outer wall of the storage tank is 30 feet high – after an hour of crews working to save the inspector, he was safely hoisted down to the ground and transported to a Medical Center with an injured right shoulder)
Nashville Construction Worker Rescued After Sidewalk Caves In (a construction worker suffered minor injuries after being trapped by a collapsed sidewalk – construction crews were working on underground utilities at the time – part of the already paved sidewalk caved in on the man, pinning the back of his leg between his knee and ankle – rescue workers were able to free him within 25 minutes by inflating air bags to push the cement away – he does not appear to have suffered any major injuries)
TRENCH & FALL Injured construction worker stable (a 39-year-old plumber fell six metres into a trench after being hit by an excavator – he is in a serious but stable condition with a broken collarbone and several fractured vertebrae in his back)
FATAL FALL Worker dead from injuries after fall at East Brunswick construction site (a worker, 40, fell 30 feet at a construction site and died from his injuries hours after the accident – police arrived to find that he had suffered a head injury and stopped breathing – emergency medical personnel administered CPR and took him to a Hospital – he was pronounced dead later that afternoon)
Worker dies after wall collapses (a father of three died and three other construction workers were injured after a concrete wall crushed them – the four men were pouring concrete into a 64-foot-long-by-18-foot-high cinder block wall when the accident occurred – the 27-year-old father, and a 38-year-old co-worker were standing on the scaffolding when the wall collapsed and were crushed beneath the falling cinder blocks – one worker went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead or arrival at a Hospital – a 39-year-old man and his 48-year-old co-worker were on top of the wall when it disintegrated and sustained trauma and fracture injuries)
NAIL GUN Nail-gun accident injures worker in eye (a construction worker, 29, was injured when a nail shot from a nail gun ricocheted off a wooden stud and into his right eye – he was taken by ambulance to a Hospital – he was in good condition)
UPDATE on EXCAVATION GAS LINE EXPLOSION Construction worker in November gas line explosion upgraded from critical to … (a construction worker, 30, who was badly burned during a gas line explosion in November has been upgraded from critical to fair condition at a Burn Center – he was operating a bulldozer that hit the 8-inch natural gas line on Nov. 11, causing a major break – about 6,000 residential and 1,200 commercial customers lost gas service and were forced to shut down or operate with limited services – he sustained burns to half his body as a result of the accident)
PFAS SAVES ANOTHER ONE Worker rescued after dangling six stories above ground at Landmark Theatre (a construction worker dangled six stories above the ground after a loose piece of concrete trapped him during renovations – he was rescued more than an hour later by a co-worker and firefighters who used two cherry pickers to pull him from the debris – he remained conscious after falling eight feet and hanging by his safety harness from a steel beam inside the structure – investigators were still trying to determine what caused the worker to fall about 1:35 p.m. – his injuries were considered minor – the workers were inside the theater, ripping out concrete, when the accident occurred)
SCAFFOLDING COLLAPSE 4 workers trapped in reservoir construction site (four workers were trapped five meters underground after scaffolding collapsed at a reservoir construction site – firefighters are trying to find the best approach to rescue them, but rescue efforts were complicated by huge amounts of debris – two other construction workers near the site of the collapse were injured and sent to a nearby hospital – police are investigating the exact cause of the accident)
MISCELLANEOUS
LAB EXPLOSION & FLASH FIRE Small explosion sends chemist to hospital (a small explosion at a chemistry lab sent one worker to a hospital with second-degree burns – he was working with a container about the size of a large paint can when it exploded at about 3:30 p.m. – that sparked a flash fire, which caused the burns – it’s not known what type of substance was in the container – no one else was hurt, but the business was evacuated – incident caused minimal property damage)
BOOM TRUCK & HOTWORK Sign worker burned in freak accident (a sign worker attempting to take down a sign was severely injured in an accident – he was using a cutting torch and a boom to remove bolts from the sign when one of the hot bolts fell and melted through a hydraulic hose on the boom – that caused pressurized hydraulic fluid to shoot out of the hose and into the path of the worker’s torch, in turn setting the worker and the sign on fire – he was on fire and jumped out of the boom, injuring his legs and breaking his ankles in the process – his back and lower body were severly burned – the sign, which was almost completely burned, stands more than 20 feet high – the worker’s boom was approximately 18 feet in the air when he jumped out of it)
FATALITY with HYDRUALIC LIFT BED Winter storm dumps 8 inches, claims worker’s life in North Brunswick (a storm that left about 8 inches of snow across the region claimed at least one life, in an accident that occurred when workers were clearing snow from trucks at a towing business – worker, 47, was crushed between a moving flatbed and a large toolbox at the Towing business – accident occurred around 7 a.m. after he and another employee raised the flatbed to cause the snow to slide off of one of the tow trucks – at some point during the cleaning, the other employee hit the controls on the driver’s side to begin to lower the flatbed, unaware of his co-worker’s whereabouts – the coworker was on the passenger side, was apparently bent over and became pinned between the truck’s large tool box and the flatbed as it moved, suffering the fatal injuries – he was pronounced dead at the scene)
Grove worker killed in accident identified (a worker, 24, was killed by heavy farm equipment at an orange grove – he was run over by a vehicle called a “grove goat” and killed instantly)
CRUSHING Man who died in farming accident named a man, 29, was crushed to death in an effluent pond on a dairy farm – he had been working on a floating pontoon in the middle of an effluent pond – the pontoon flipped on a 90 degree angle and trapped him between the railing of the pontoon and the railing of a walkway it was connected to – another worker, who had also been on the pontoon, frantically tried to free him but the structure was too heavy – it required a tractor and three fire officers to move it – worker was dead by the time emergency services arrived)
ELECTRICAL FATALITY Man Dies In Hendry Farm Accident (an accident involving a tractor and pull behind sprayer – a 25 year old workers was found dead – deputies discovered both the tractor and spray rig burning – it appeared that the spray rig had come into contact with a power line causing it to catch on fire – after fire personnel arrived on scene and were able to extinguish the flames, the farm equipment was removed from the scene – it was at this time that emergency personnel on scene were able to locate the tractor operator, 25)