A technician in taped coveralls was helping pump spilled 93% sulfuric acid out of a containment area when the pump surged. The unsecured outlet hose kicked back, bounced out of the tote it was feeding, and sprayed acid across the job site. Liquid ran in through the unsealed sides of his protective hood. He panicked and pulled off his respirator. A coworker walked him to an emergency shower.
That sequence is recorded in a federal accident summary describing the transfer operation, logged by OSHA as case 100933.015 and describing an event on June 27, 2017, at a Patriot Environmental Services site. The technician sustained second and third degree burns to his face. His supervisor, wearing nitrile gloves, protective boots and a full face respirator but no coveralls, was hit as well and took splash burns to his left neck, shoulder, head and arms. Both men were hospitalized. The corresponding inspection record was opened three weeks later.
