HOUSTON, TEXAS—2015-07-29

SOUTHWEST GALVANIZING, INC.

Contact with hot objects or substances · Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns

Final narrative

After the galvanizing cycle, material (product) is no longer in the zinc, but is still inside the kettle, at which point two workers will skim the zinc off the top of the kettle. Two monorail cranes carry this beam in and out of the kettle housing. The cranes have chains connected to a bow that holds the beam. The chain between the lifting block of the crane and bow failed; one end of the beam fell, hit the molten zinc vat, and caused a splash. The injured employee was wearing a Nomex suit, face shield, and eye glasses at the time. The surface of this vat is at about waist level. The densest portion of the splash hit the injured employee in the groin, burned through the Nomex coveralls, and caused third-degree burns. Another portion of the splash hit the employee on the chest/abdomen area and caused second-degree burns. A small splash of molten zinc also hit the employee's face, and the last portion landed on one of the injured employee's feet, causing a burn.

Hospitalized Multiple body parts, n.e.c. Molten or hot metals, slag

Similar incidents · Same event type

BAY CITY, TEXAS—2023-12-30

OQ Chemicals

An employee connected a steam line to a hose to clean equipment when the fitting broke loose. They were struck by steam in the left inner thigh, resulting in burns that required hospitalization.

HAUPPAUGE, NEW YORK—2023-12-21

Husbe Zoaq

An employee was straining hot water from a pot of rice when the water splashed onto them, resulting in burns to their chest, arms, shoulder, and back.

FORT WORTH, TEXAS—2023-12-19

The Cumberland Rest Inc. dba Trinity Terrace

An employee was making tea when she noticed tea grinds were collecting on the side and water was no longer dripping through the funnel. The employee was checking the funnel when boiling water and tea grinds spilled onto the left side of her body. The employee sustained burns to her neck, back, and arm.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—2023-12-15

Mueller & Wilson Inc

An employee had turned off the ball valve on a waterpipe system and was removing the plug when the coupling system attached to the strainer came apart. Hot water sprayed on his arm and back, resulting in first- and second-degree burns that required surgery.

MADILL, OKLAHOMA—2023-12-10

Oklahoma Steel & Wire Co., LLC

An employee was using a shovel to remove waste vermiculite from molten zinc. The metal had been placed in a bin and partially hardened. The employee broke through the partially hardened metal; still-molten metal flowed to the employee's steel-toed right boot and entered through the cloth boot tongue. The employee suffered a third-degree burn to the right foot and was hospitalized.