Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search
		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)








Automotive Mechanic Fatally Burned While Using Welder When Washer Fluid Drum Explodes —Massachusetts										Related Pages
										Massachusetts Case Report: 19MA058
Release Date: July 15, 2022

SUMMARY
An automotive mechanic working for a gas station and service garage was severely burned when a drum of flammable window washer fluid exploded as he was using the drum as a workbench for welding. The Massachusetts FACE Program learned of the incident from the local news media on the day of the incident, September 25, 2019. The Massachusetts FACE Program received notification from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services that the worker had sustained burns to an estimated 75% of his body and was being treated at a regional trauma center on September 26, 2019. On November 6, 2019, a representative from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner notified FACE that the worker had died from his injuries on November 5, 2019. On December 10, 2019, a representative from the Massachusetts FACE Program spoke with the owner of the gas station to discuss the incident. Several records were reviewed during the investigation. The records reviewed included local and state police reports; the reports from the state police unit assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal to investigate fires, explosions, and arson; the electronic death registration system; OSHA records; and information from the welder and window washer fluid manufacturers.
**CONTRIBUTING FACTORS**
Key contributing factors identified in this investigation include:
Worksite lacked a proper welding station
Welding in the vicinity of a drum containing flammable materials
Lack of a safety and health program and overall safety training**RECOMMENDATIONS**
The Massachusetts FACE Program concluded that, to help prevent similar occurrences, employers should:
Provide an appropriate location to perform welding work. All hot work should be a safe distance away from flammable and combustible liquids. Ensure workers using welding equipment are trained in the safe operation of their equipment.
Ensure that all workers are properly trained about hazardous materials in the workplace.
Develop and implement a comprehensive safety and health program that addresses hazard recognition, avoidance of unsafe conditions, and proper use of equipmentAutomotive Mechanic Fatally Burned While Using Welder When Washer Fluid Drum Explodes —Massachusetts[PDF – 1,369 KB]
List of Revisions
Revision Date
RevisionsMarch 30, 2022 (Original)July 15, 2022
Introduction – Date victim treated at trauma center and date of death was updated from 2021 to 2019.
Recommendation #2 – 1st paragraph, beginning of sentence was added – it was blank in the original
Grammatical errors were corrected.
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  September 22, 2022						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeWorkplace Safety and Health Topics
Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation(FACE) Programplus icon
New Content
About the Program
Investigations
NIOSH FACE Reports
State FACE Reports
Resourcesplus icon
Agriculture
Commercial Fishing
Construction
Energy Production
Landscaping
Logging
Robotics
Waste Management
Confined Space
Electrocution
Falls
Machine Related
Motor Vehicle
Trenching
Other
Crossing Guards
Hispanic
Youth
Contact Us To receive the NIOSH eNews newsletter, enter your email address: Email Address			What's this?				Submit
 Contact FACE Nancy Romano, M.S., CSHM
FACE Project Officer
Fatality Investigations Team
Division of Safety Research
NIOSHnioshface@cdc.gov **Press Inquiries**nioshmedia@cdc.gov
 Related Topics Traumatic Occupational Injuries
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
Law Enforcement Officer Motor Vehicle Safety
 Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue