The spattering of 96% sulphuric acid injured a driver making a delivery at a water treatment plant around 11 am. Plant employees had been accustomed to allowing the drivers perform the transfer operation given their supposed greater experience in handling chemical products. The driver had only been on the job for 5 months and had been given safety glasses, a helmet, a visor and an anti-acid suit; finding the suit cumbersome to wear, he pulled it down slightly below his neck. A plant technician was also present onsite and fully equipped but did not participate in the transfer operation.

Though subsequently stating his knowledge of the product transfer process, the driver failed to show adequate concentration and committed a handling error in opening the client’s bulk container valve before connecting the cistern; an acid spray ejected at the pipe outlet burned him on the lower part of the face and neck. The victim was showered by the operator, who applied a soothing ointment before evacuation by fire-fighters. The police undertook an investigation. The site’s logistics manager assumed responsibility for completing the transfer operation.

The transport company once again reminded the driver of the appropriate transfer protocol to be followed at clients’ facilities and proposed he be retrained for this task. A meeting was planned for all drivers-delivery personnel relative to handling accidents.