Incident date: 2021-07-20
NAICS industry code: 213112

An employee was transferring potassium hydroxide (50-70%) from an IBC tote into a blending tank using a pneumatic double diaphragm pump in the transfer area at the facility. The hose disconnected during the transfer and potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) caused chemical burns on the employee's face, neck, and upper torso. The employee was hospitalized.

Hazard classification:
code_event: title: Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue
code_source: title: Sodium and potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate
code_nature: title: Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified
code_body: title: Head, neck, and trunk
severity: moderate