GapVax, Inc.

Ignition of clothing from controlled heat source — Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns — JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania

HOSPITALIZED — Worker hospitalized after incident at GapVax, Inc. in JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania
Employer GapVax, Inc.
Address 575 Central Avenue
City, State ZIP JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania 15902
Report ID 20191212510
Event Date December 5, 2019
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns
Body Part Head, neck, and trunk
Event Type Ignition of clothing from controlled heat source
Source of Injury Blouses, shirts, dresses, trousers, skirts
Secondary Source Welding, cutting, and blow torches
Industry (NAICS) 336211
Inspection # 1449820
GPS Coordinates 40.29684, -78.91361

Location Map

Incident Narrative

An employee was welding when a spark landed on his shirt under his uniform and ignited both layers of clothing. He received first, second, and third degree burns to the upper torso, neck, and face.

Incident Summary

On December 5, 2019, a worker at GapVax, Inc. in JOHNSTOWN, Pennsylvania suffered third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns to the head, neck, and trunk. The incident was classified as ignition of clothing from controlled heat source, with blouses, shirts, dresses, trousers, skirts identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 141 severe injury reports involving "Ignition of clothing from controlled heat source" incidents in our database. Browse all Ignition of clothing from controlled heat source injuries.

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Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Ignition of clothing from controlled heat source events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
Apr 1, 2019 Nibrock, Inc. CHUNCHULA, Alabama Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Aug 12, 2015 Birchcrest Tree and Landscape, Inc. ROCHESTER, New York Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Mar 24, 2017 MAYNARD STEEL CASTING COMPANY MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Nov 15, 2015 MECHANICAL SERVICES INCORPORATED SPRINGFIELD, Missouri Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Nov 26, 2023 DC Power Tong, LLC KILLDEER, North Dakota Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Jan 5, 2018 Taylor Machine Works, Inc. LOUISVILLE, Mississippi Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Feb 8, 2019 Conrad Orange Shipyard ORANGE, Texas Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Mar 7, 2020 TMS International JEWETT, Texas 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.

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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.

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