Nucor

Explosion, n.e.c. — Concussions — NORFOLK, Nebraska

HOSPITALIZED — Worker hospitalized after incident at Nucor in 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.

See all reports for Nucor.

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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.

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About This OSHA Report

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