U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids - Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns - OWENSBORO, Kentucky

HOSPITALIZED, Worker hospitalized after incident at U.S. POSTAL SERVICE in OWENSBORO, Kentucky
Employer U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
Address 1704 Virgina Ct
City, State ZIP OWENSBORO, Kentucky 42301
Report ID 2016054041
Event Date May 11, 2016
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns
Body Part Leg(s), unspecified
Event Type Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids
Source of Injury Gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel
Industry (NAICS) 491110
GPS Coordinates 37.75000, -87.09000

Location Map

Incident Narrative

On or about 5/11/2016, an employee was delivering mail when he noticed smoke coming from a resident's garage. He stopped and noticed a gas can on fire and two kids in the garage. He told the kids to get out of the garage and to kick the gas can out. One of the kids kicked the gas can out of the garage. The can hit the employee and splattered gas on him. The gas caught on fire and caused third degree burns to both of his legs.

Incident Summary

On May 11, 2016, a worker at U.S. POSTAL SERVICE in OWENSBORO, Kentucky suffered third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns to the leg(s), unspecified. The incident was classified as ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids, with gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 502 severe injury reports involving "Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids" incidents in our database. Browse all Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids injuries.

See all reports for U.S. POSTAL SERVICE.

Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Ignition of vapors, gases, or liquids events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
May 11, 2021 American Asphalt of Wisconsin, A Division of Mathy Construction MOSINEE, Wisconsin Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Oct 19, 2022 Union Concrete and Construction, Corp. BUFFALO, New York Second degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Feb 15, 2015 Appalachan Production Services, Inc. BLAIRSVILLE, Pennsylvania Traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified Hosp.
Oct 18, 2018 Darling Ingredience NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Nov 8, 2015 O'neal Manufactuirng Services HOUSTON, Texas Second degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Sep 28, 2023 Armour Industries Inc. OMAHA, Nebraska Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Feb 20, 2023 John Evanski Inc. FRIANT, California Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Feb 10, 2021 NOV Fiber Glass Systems, LLC SAND SPRINGS, Oklahoma Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Workers injured on the job have the right to medical treatment covered by workers' compensation, wage replacement benefits during recovery, and protection against retaliation for reporting the injury. You have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if you believe your workplace is unsafe, and OSHA cannot reveal your identity to your employer without your consent. You also have the right to see your OSHA 300 injury log. If your employer denies a workers' comp claim, you can appeal through your state's workers' compensation board. An occupational health attorney can advise on complex cases involving denied claims or third-party liability.

After an employer reports a severe injury, OSHA decides whether to conduct an on-site inspection. Fatalities and amputations typically trigger automatic inspections. For hospitalizations and eye loss events, OSHA may conduct a phone/fax investigation or an on-site inspection based on the circumstances. During an inspection, OSHA compliance officers assess the accident scene, interview witnesses, review safety records, and identify violations. Citations and penalties may be issued. OSHA also works with the employer to abate hazardous conditions. All inspection results are published in OSHA's public inspection database at osha.gov.

You can file an OSHA complaint online at osha.gov/workers/file-complaint, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or by visiting your local OSHA area office. Complaints can be filed anonymously. OSHA prioritizes formal written complaints from workers. If you believe an imminent danger exists, call OSHA immediately, they are required to investigate immediately when there is reasonable grounds to believe imminent danger exists. Workers are protected from retaliation for filing complaints under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act; if you experience retaliation, file a separate complaint within 30 days of the adverse action.

About This OSHA Report

This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.

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