GAC Chemical Corporation

Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue — Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified — SEARSPORT, Maine

HOSPITALIZED — Worker hospitalized after incident at GAC Chemical Corporation in SEARSPORT, Maine
Employer GAC Chemical Corporation
Address 34 Kidder Point Road
City, State ZIP SEARSPORT, Maine 04974
Report ID 2021043119
Event Date April 14, 2021
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified
Body Part Eye(s)
Event Type Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue
Source of Injury Sodium and potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate
Industry (NAICS) 325188
GPS Coordinates 44.46844, -68.88435

Location Map

Incident Narrative

An employee was removing a hose after unloading sodium hydroxide. The hose had residual pressure in it and sprayed the employee in the face, resulting in chemical burns to the eyes.

Incident Summary

On April 14, 2021, a worker at GAC Chemical Corporation in SEARSPORT, Maine suffered chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified to the eye(s). The incident was classified as exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue, with sodium and potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 653 severe injury reports involving "Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue" incidents in our database. Browse all Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue injuries.

See all reports for GAC Chemical Corporation.

Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
Sep 3, 2019 Perryton Equity Exchange, Inc. FARNSWORTH, Texas Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified Hosp.
Jan 8, 2017 Big Ox Energy Siouxland, LLC DAKOTA CITY, Nebraska Second degree chemical burns and corrosions Hosp.
Jun 10, 2015 Saporito Finishing Inc. CICERO, Illinois Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified Hosp.
Jun 19, 2019 Elite Auto Center of Gainesville, Inc. GAINESVILLE, Florida Chemical burns and corrosions, unspecified Hosp.
Feb 11, 2021 Wichita Trailer Inc. PARK CITY, Kansas Poisoning, including poisoning-related asphyxia Hosp.
Nov 23, 2022 D'ADDARIO & COMPANY INC FARMINGDALE, New York Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury Hosp.
Dec 25, 2016 CELANESE, LTD PASADENA, Texas Third or fourth degree chemical burns and corrosions Hosp.
Jul 28, 2015 Dentsply Prosthetics, LLC YORK, Pennsylvania Coughing and throat irritation- toxic, noxious, or allergenic effect 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