Axel Plastics Research Laboratories, Inc.

An employee was mixing a batch of raw materials under a hood using a hot plate and a 2-gallon steel pot when flames emerged from the pot. A second employee, who was also working under the hood on another batch of product, responded and placed a lid over the pot to suppress the flames. Shortly thereafter, an energy release occurred, creating a larger flame and a pressure wave that knocked the pot onto the floor. Some of the pot's contents landed on the first employee's body and clothes and the second employee's hand. The first employee received third degree burns to both hands and second degree burns to the arms, face, and stomach. The second employee received second degree burns to the right hand.