Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc.

Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire — Thermal burns degree unspecified — PATERSON, New Jersey

HOSPITALIZED — Worker hospitalized after incident at Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc. in PATERSON, New Jersey
Employer Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc.
Address 278 West Railway Ave.
City, State ZIP PATERSON, New Jersey 07503
Report ID 2025021225
Event Date February 7, 2025
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Thermal burns degree unspecified
Body Part Multiple regions of the head
Event Type Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire
Source of Injury Propane tanks and cylinders
Secondary Source Trash compactors, shredders
Industry (NAICS) 562111
Inspection # 1804146
GPS Coordinates 40.89071, -74.15020

Location Map

Incident Narrative

A Gaeta Recycling employee was standing at an exit from a trash-baling chamber, installing a trash bag on a chute. A propane tank, hidden in a pile of garbage, entered the baler chamber, where it exploded under pressure. The employee suffered head and face burns.

Incident Summary

On February 7, 2025, a worker at Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc. in PATERSON, New Jersey suffered thermal burns degree unspecified to the multiple regions of the head. The incident was classified as explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire, with propane tanks and cylinders identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 274 severe injury reports involving "Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire" incidents in our database. Browse all Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire injuries.

See all reports for Gaeta Recycling Co., Inc..

Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
Oct 27, 2020 JRT Trucking, Inc. VALLIANT, Oklahoma Fractures Hosp.
Dec 6, 2017 United Initiators, Inc. HELENA, Arkansas Multiple traumatic injuries and disorders, n.e.c. Hosp., Amp.
Oct 2, 2017 Gateway Cylinder Technologies, LLC HIGHLAND, Illinois Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Jul 23, 2024 The Kroger Co. LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas Thermal burns degree unspecified Hosp.
Mar 27, 2025 Refrigeration Design and Service Inc PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania Thermal burns degree unspecified Hosp.
Jan 6, 2016 AmeriGas Propane, Inc. ORLANDO, Florida Heat (thermal) burns, unspecified Hosp.
Jun 25, 2024 Alamo Group Texas SEGUIN, Texas Thermal burns third degree or higher Hosp.
Nov 24, 2018 Trac Services HASLET, Texas Fractures 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