Global Tungsten & Powders Corp.

Explosion of nonpressurized vapors, gases, or liquids — Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified — TOWANDA, Pennsylvania

HOSPITALIZED — Worker hospitalized after incident at Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. in TOWANDA, Pennsylvania
Employer Global Tungsten & Powders Corp.
Address 1 Hawes St.
City, State ZIP TOWANDA, Pennsylvania 18848
Report ID 2020032167
Event Date March 6, 2020
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified
Body Part Multiple body parts, n.e.c.
Event Type Explosion of nonpressurized vapors, gases, or liquids
Source of Injury Multiple chemicals or chemical mixtures, n.e.c.
Industry (NAICS) 331492
GPS Coordinates 41.78679, -76.44663

Location Map

Incident Narrative

An employee was visually inspecting the calciner (furnace) tube. When the employee removed the manifold for the calciner tube, tungsten (product) and nitrogen and/or hydrogen caused an explosion inside the calciner tube. Flames shot out of the end of the tube and burned the employee's face and right forearm.

Incident Summary

On March 6, 2020, a worker at Global Tungsten & Powders Corp. in TOWANDA, Pennsylvania suffered heat (thermal) burns, unspecified to the multiple body parts, n.e.c.. The incident was classified as explosion of nonpressurized vapors, gases, or liquids, with multiple chemicals or chemical mixtures, n.e.c. identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 73 severe injury reports involving "Explosion of nonpressurized vapors, gases, or liquids" incidents in our database. Browse all Explosion of nonpressurized vapors, gases, or liquids injuries.

See all reports for Global Tungsten & Powders Corp..

Similar Incidents

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

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
Jul 18, 2021 Patty's Inc. BEAVER, West Virginia Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Nov 23, 2018 Magretech, LLC BELLEVUE, Ohio Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Jul 1, 2016 Tolman Construction MILLINOCKET, Maine Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Feb 16, 2021 CHS Grainland LEWELLEN, Nebraska Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Feb 11, 2019 Crossland Heavy Contractors SPRINGFIELD, Missouri Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Nov 6, 2017 Outback Steakhouse MACON, Georgia Second degree heat (thermal) burns Hosp.
Aug 30, 2018 Shawnee Tubing Industries, LLC SHAWNEE, Oklahoma Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Aug 12, 2025 WVA Manufacturing, LLC ALLOY, West Virginia Thermal burns third degree or higher 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.

Browse All Injury Reports