How much HF Acid is needed to cause a fatality by contact

Employee #1 was mixing an automobile cleaning solution, which required that several chemicals to be added to a mixing tank. He would first weigh out the appropriate amount of a chemical and then use a chemical transfer pump to move it into an empty drum until the desired amount (by weight) was obtained. This task was repeated for each of the chemicals involved. At the time of the accident, Employee #1 was using an old chemical transfer pump to move hydrofluoric acid solution when the hose joint failed. The hose appeared to break away, and hydrofluoric acid, sprayed out onto Employee #1.

He ran to the emergency shower, where the solution began to react with the water, the concrete floor, and his skin, creating a cloud of hydrogen fluoride gas that immediately obscured the area.

Employee #1 inhaled the vapors, and over 20 percent of his body had been contaminated by the hydrofluoric acid spray.

A coworker made Employee #1 remove his clothes while he and another coworker tried to wash him down. Apparently Employee #1 then went back into the gas cloud to turn off the chemical pump.

Emergency Services arrived on the scene and treated Employee #1. While he was being transported to the hospital, Employee #1 began to have problems breathing and wanted to sit up. The moment he did, he vomited sputum several times and then went into respiratory arrest. All efforts to resuscitate him were ineffective, and he died before arriving at the hospital.

At the time of the accident, Employee #1 was not wearing any personal protective equipment. Three days before the incident, the company had received a new chemical transfer pump, which was scheduled to replace the one that failed.

Approximately 20 gallons of hydrofluoric acid were released from the drum onto the concrete floor.

Violations/PenaltiesSeriousWillfulRepeatOtherUnclassTotal
Initial Violations14216
Current Violations14216
Initial Penalty$22,200$0$0$0$0$22,200
Current Penalty$18,000$0$0$0$0$18,000
FTA Penalty$0$0$0$0$0$0
#Citation IDCitaton TypeStandard CitedIssuance DateAbatement Due DateCurrent PenaltyInitial PenaltyFTA PenaltyContestLatest EventNote
1.01001Serious19100120 Q0110/16/200012/22/2000$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
2.01002Serious19100132 D0110/16/200001/05/2001$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
3.01003Serious19100132 F0110/16/200001/05/2001$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
4.01004Serious19100133 A0110/16/200012/15/2000$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
5.01005Serious19100134 C0110/16/200001/05/2001$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
6.01006Serious19100134 D01 III10/16/200001/05/2001$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
7.01007Serious19100147 C0110/16/200012/15/2000$810$1,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
8.01008Serious19100151 B10/16/200012/15/2000$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
9.01009Serious19100157 G0110/16/200011/09/2000$486$600$0I – Informal Settlement 
10.01010ASerious19100176 A10/16/200011/09/2000$1,152$1,400$0I – Informal Settlement 
11.01010BSerious19100178 L01 I10/16/200011/09/2000$0$0$0 
12.01011Serious19100305 G01 III10/16/200011/09/2000$486$600$0I – Informal Settlement 
13.01012Serious19100305 G02 II10/16/200011/09/2000$486$600$0I – Informal Settlement 
14.01013Serious19101000 B0110/16/200001/05/2001$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
15.01014Serious19101200 E0110/16/200011/09/2000$1,620$2,000$0I – Informal Settlement 
16.02001Other19101020 G01 I10/16/200011/09/2000$0$0$0 
17.02002Other19101030 C01 I10/16/200012/08/2000$0$0$0I – Informal Settlement 

Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=109145631

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