News

Chemical Handling - Sodium Hydroxide in the work place

Posted on Jan 25, 2010

On Thursday, January 14^th, a worker at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa passed away in the facility’s laundry center. His name was David Weaver, and although the exact cause of his death was not yet determined, it was almost certainly linked to a spill of sodium hydroxide.

What is sodium hydroxide? Chemically speaking, it’s a compound of sodium, hydroxide, and oxygen that is highly basic and reacts exothermically when combined with water, releasing large quantities of heat. It’s also called ‘lye,’ and its uses are numerous: cleaning supplies, paint stripper, drain cleaner, and even sometimes food cleanser. Most of us have cleaning supplies in our cupboards that we put up high so that the kids can’t reach them – more likely than not, those gels and powders contain sodium hydroxide.

This raises the question: if sodium hydroxide is so common, and if it’s always all around us, can it really be that dangerous? The answer is, unequivocally, yes. Sodium hydroxide has a strong caustic and corrosive effect on almost every material it comes into contact with, especially human tissue. It can burn ones’ skin, sear one’s lungs, and scar one’s eyes. Metallurgists use the chemical to etch aluminum – imagine what it can do to a human body.

What can we learn from Mr. Weaver’s death? When working with sodium hydroxide, we must exercise extreme caution. Always wear protective gear, including suitably thick gloves, masks, and glasses. Also, take a quick look around your house, and place any materials with warning labels out of reach of children. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

This accident may include issues of chemical handling, hazardous spills/containment and confined spaces along with other safety issues. Not enough is known yet about why the man was overcome and found unconscious. He may have done everything right; no matter if he did he is entitled to workers' compensation benefits and his dependents as well. Before taking on a hazardous spill contact your supervisor, know the protocol for handling a spill of the chemical and wear protective gear. After all you life may depend on it. Below are a few video clips discussing chemical handling, hazardous spills and confined spaces. If you work with sodium hydroxide or any other hazardous chemical read the material data safety sheets, take the training and if none is suggested by management, suggest they adopt a training program.

And as Mr. Conrad was fond of saying, let’s be safe out there.

That's it for today, but if I can answer any of your questions follow the link and give me a call.

After a worker is injured is when they need the support of their employer the most. But injured workers aren't given a level playing field. The company doctor often times is not helping them and the case manager isn't either. The worker is left alone to fend for themselves and to make mistakes that result in lower benefits or fewer weeks of benefits. Some are sent back to work too soon. There is only one person on your side and that understands this system. If your lawyer doesn't understand the nature of this claim you've got the wrong lawyer. Steve Lombardi has practiced in the area of workers compensation for over 30 years. He's tried hundreds of cases for more than one thousand clients. If you'd like help finding a competent lawyer we do assist people in locating a lawyer in Iowa or in Illinois. Call us.

If you have a question about your case, give us a call or drop us an email. LOMBARDI LAW FIRM - 515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com. If you or your spouse are involved in a work accident contact the Lombardi Law Firm. We will assist you with your claim.
Steve Lombardi, Attorney