Nucor
Explosion, n.e.c. — Concussions — NORFOLK, Nebraska
| Employer | Nucor |
| Address | 2911 E Nucor Road |
| City, State ZIP | NORFOLK, Nebraska 68702 |
| Report ID | 2016054114 |
| Event Date | May 12, 2016 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized |
| Nature of Injury | Concussions |
| Body Part | Brain |
| Event Type | Explosion, n.e.c. |
| Source of Injury | Furnaces, heaters |
| Secondary Source | Molten or hot metals, slag |
| Industry (NAICS) | 331513 |
| Inspection # | 1148140 |
| GPS Coordinates | 42.07000, -97.46000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
Four employees were working on the melt floor when Employee 4 noted a change in sound within a furnace. The sound indicated that water was leaking into the furnace, and water was also visibly coming out of an observation port at the bottom of the furnace. Employee 1 went to investigate and determined that the roof (lid) of the furnace could be opened to view the extent of the leak. Employee 1 gave Employee 4 the okay to open the roof of the furnace via the radio. When the roof was opened, a large piece of slag dropped from the bottom of the roof down into the shell of the furnace. This slag dropped into the molten metal and water below, causing a rapid expansion event that spewed slag and molten metal out of the furnace into the surrounding area. The slag and molten metal struck Employee 1 and Employee 2. Employee 1 was struck on the left side of the face and neck, causing him to be thrown to the ground. He suffered burns and abrasions to the left side of his face and neck. Employee 2 was struck on the back of the helmet, knocking him to the ground, bruising the back of his head, and causing a concussion. Employee 2 also received several contusions and a large hematoma to his elbow due to being thrown back from the blast.
Incident Summary
On May 12, 2016, a worker at Nucor in NORFOLK, Nebraska suffered concussions to the brain. The incident was classified as explosion, n.e.c., with furnaces, heaters identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.
Context
OSHA has recorded 146 severe injury reports involving "Explosion, n.e.c." incidents in our database. Browse all Explosion, n.e.c. injuries.
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| Apr 1, 2015 | Gibbon Packing, LLC | GIBBON, Nebraska | Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified | Hosp. |
| Aug 19, 2016 | Responder Training Services | FORT HOOD, Texas | Multiple traumatic injuries and disorders, unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jan 11, 2016 | EBV Explosives Environmental Company | CARTHAGE, Missouri | Fractures and other injuries, unspecified | Hosp. |
| Nov 17, 2017 | Pioneer Energy Services | GARDEN CITY, Texas | Burns and corrosions, unspecified | Hosp. |
| Mar 22, 2023 | Ineos Phenol | PASADENA, Texas | Burns and corrosions, unspecified | Hosp. |
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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.