A tanker truck arrived at a company manufacturing electronic components at around 10 a.m.to unload a delivery of 30% sodium hydroxide. The subcontracting company in charge of the off-loading operation had commissioned a transport company to deliver and off-load the sodium hydroxide. The transport company’s driver began the off-loading operation before a technician from a third subcontracting company, in charge of the transfer operation, had finished marking out the area. Two hoses were installed for the operation. The driver opened the truck’s valves and the product began to flow via gravity into the hose. At this point, the technician in charge of the transfer operation noticed a leak. The driver tapped on the hose coupling slightly with a wrench to tighten the hose. It was at this moment that he was sprayed in the face by the liquid sodium hydroxide as his safety visor had been raised. He made his way to the safety shower and rinsed himself off with water for 15 minutes. The firefighters then transported him to the hospital. The chemicals caused burns to his mouth and his right eye was sensitive to light. As a result of his injuries, the driver was given 2 weeks of leave.

The incident was attributed to a missing seal on the transfer hose coupling. The seal had probably been lost when the pipe was being handled between 2 off-loading operations. Checking to ensure that this black seal is in place on a black hose was not easy. Furthermore, the rain on that day provided poor visibility with the visor.

The shipping agent has reminded its drivers to use their PPE, including hermetic goggles and a helmet equipped with a visor or a full-face respirator mask. The off-loading procedures were also posted at the site. More visible seals have now been installed.