Caterpillar Inc.
Struck by discharged object or substance - Traumatic injuries or exposures unspecified - DECATUR, Illinois
| Employer | Caterpillar Inc. |
| Address | 27th St & E Pershing Rd |
| City, State ZIP | DECATUR, Illinois 62526 |
| Report ID | 2024076645 |
| Event Date | July 22, 2024 |
| Outcome | Hospitalized |
| Nature of Injury | Traumatic injuries or exposures unspecified |
| Body Part | Hand(s) and finger(s) |
| Event Type | Struck by discharged object or substance |
| Source of Injury | Disinfectants, detergents, soap products |
| Secondary Source | Pressure washers |
| Industry (NAICS) | 333131 |
| GPS Coordinates | 47.15000, -116.43000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
On July 22, 2024, an employee was using a pressure washer to fill a mop bucket with water. The washer's hose split and soapy water was injected into the employee's right palm and index finger. The puncture wound had to be surgically cleaned.
Incident Summary
On July 22, 2024, a worker at Caterpillar Inc. in DECATUR, Illinois suffered traumatic injuries or exposures unspecified to the hand(s) and finger(s). The incident was classified as struck by discharged object or substance, with disinfectants, detergents, soap products identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.
Context
OSHA has recorded 999 severe injury reports involving "Struck by discharged object or substance" incidents in our database. Browse all Struck by discharged object or substance injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Struck by discharged object or substance events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 30, 2018 | BEAM | HOUSTON, Texas | Amputations | Amp. |
| Apr 29, 2024 | Regal Industrial Corporation | MILLVILLE, New Jersey | Cuts, lacerations, punctures without injury to internal structures | Hosp. |
| Sep 18, 2023 | H.M. RICHARDS, INC. | GUNTOWN, Mississippi | Puncture wounds, except gunshot wounds | Hosp. |
| May 24, 2021 | Acoustic Ceiling and Partition Company of Ohio | GAMBIER, Ohio | Puncture wounds, except gunshot wounds | Hosp. |
| Jul 30, 2025 | IMIA, LLC | NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia | Surface and flesh wounds unspecified | Hosp. |
| Nov 17, 2022 | Barrilleaux Energy Services | ORLA, Texas | Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury | Hosp. |
| Jul 7, 2018 | Mohon Blasting and Coatings LLC | FAIRFIELD, Ohio | Abrasions, scratches | Hosp. |
| Mar 20, 2023 | First Nick Painting Company, Inc. | WEYMOUTH, Massachusetts | Puncture wounds, except gunshot wounds | 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.