A Windsor, Ont. worker was recently transferred across the border to a Detroit hospital for specialized treatment after he suffered burn injuries in an industrial accident.

The accident happened on August 28 at about 8 PM, when a worker for Custom Blacks, Inc. of Windsor was splashed with sodium hydroxide acid after a machine part that was gripping a piece of metal broke. The 35-year-old worker was then transported to Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor, where he was listed in serious but stable condition, before being transferred across the border for further treatment.

According to information from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), sodium hydroxide is extremely corrosive and is “capable of causing severe burns with deep ulceration and permanent scarring.” Furthermore, it can penetrate to deeper levels of skin and corrosion will continue until the substance is removed. Burns may not be immediately painful; onset of pain may be delayed from minutes to hours.

On August 31, four stop work orders were issued to Custom Blacks. In addition, eight other orders were issued under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including requirements that workplace areas around a half-ton CM Shopstar Hoist and overhead blue frame tracks be left undisturbed for the purpose of carrying out an investigation; and that Custom Blacks ensure that a 250 kg air hoist lifting device and a one-ton Budgit power hoist are thoroughly examined by a competent person annually.

The next day, Custom Blacks was issued three more orders for failing to: provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker; ensure that an eye wash fountain was provided where a worker is exposed to a potential eye injury due to contact with a biological or chemical substance, and; ensure a quick-acting deluge shower is provided where a worker is exposed to a potential hazard of injury to the skin due to contact with a substance.

The Ministry of Labour will continue its investigation, and Custom Blacks is cooperative and attempting to comply with the orders.