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| Worker Drinks Acid by Mistake – And Dies |
A Gatorade bottle on the worksite should have nothing else in it but Gatorade or water. But unfortunately for 53-year-old metalworker Frank Gabossi, the Gatorade bottle he drank from contained a corrosive liquid used to age metal.
Gabossi, from Rifle, CO, died two days after accidentally drinking the blue liquid, which contained selenous acid. He thought it was an energy drink at a Pitkin County jobsite where he and a colleague were working on a metal staircase.
Police report that Gabossi ingested a small amount of the toxic liquid before realizing what it was. His co-worker immediately rushed him to hospital, but Gabossi later died.
Selenous acid is a severe irritant that can burn the skin and eyes. It can also be fatal if swallowed. While working with this chemical, employees should wear safety glasses and gloves. Good ventilation is also recommended.
As with all chemicals, selenous acid should be stored in approved containers or drums that are properly labeled.
Employees need the basics of staying safe while working with and around different types of chemicals, such as how to identify those hazards based on container labeling, PPE requirements, and safe storage and cleanup procedures. Safety Smart has hundreds of materials to help you with your chemical safety training program, including fatality reports, eLearning, slogans, puzzles and more. Start your training with this all-in-one chemical safety meeting , which has everything you need for your presentation.
Need access to additional resources on this topic? Try SafetySmart today and get immediate access to safety talks, presentations and more. Sign up for a free 14-day trial now. |
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| This drink container contains a sweet drink that’s pure poison—antifreeze. And it’s right at the front of this shelf. This photo illustrates the danger of storing hazardous materials in drink containers. (Naval Safety Center) |
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| Korean Worker Fatality Possibly Linked to Microorganisms |
The death of one worker and hospitalization of two others in Seoul, South Korea, is suspected to be linked to suffocation from toxic gas generated by organic and chemical substances in a confined space.
The workers entered a manhole to survey a structure and lost consciousness. One of the workers was found dead inside the manhole, while two others were discovered unconscious but alive.
“It is likely that they inhaled hazardous gases underground. High temperatures and high humidity these days have created an environment in which various microorganisms proliferate. They decompose organic matter while absorbing oxygen. They then emit carbon dioxide and other toxic gases in the confined space,” Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency Senior Manager Yoo Jang-jin, told the Korea Times.
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Related story: Hydrogen Sulfide Dangers Aren’t Always Obvious
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