In the manufacturing and production industries, anodizing is a process of surface coating using an electrical current. Anodizing can be applied to many different materials, including aluminum, brass, copper, magnesium, and titanium. Injuries resulting from an anodizing process are common and can range from minor to life-threatening.
Serious Injuries
Anodizing is a process of applying a thin coating of aluminum to the exterior of metal surfaces. It has many industrial uses, such as in aircraft, automotive and nuclear industries. Anodizing can also be used to improve the appearance of metals.
Injuries can occur when an anodizer is operated incorrectly or when an improper chemical reaction takes place.
An improperly conducted anodizing operation can result in significant injuries to workers. In 2001, two workers were killed and six others were injured after a malfunctioning anodizer caused a fire at a business that produced aluminum foil for packaging food products. These fatalities led the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to regulate anodizing operations more closely.
An important part of any anodizing operation is properly choosing the chemicals used to carry out the process. If these chemicals are mishandled, they can produce dangerous reactions that lead to injury. In 2007, three workers were injured when they were exposed to hydrogen fluoride while working with chlorine gas in an anodizing operation. The chlorine gas created by this reaction caused redness and blisters on the skin of the workers.
Here are five more examples of serious anodizing equipment injuries:
1. A worker was injured when a piece of anodizing equipment fell on him. The accident caused severe injuries to his arm and shoulder, including multiple fractures.
2. Another worker was injured when an anode dissolved in acid and splashed onto his face and body. The acid burned his skin and caused extensive damage to his eyes, lips, and stomach.
3. A third worker was badly burned when an arc from an anodizer touched him on the arm. The heat from the arc melted the skin on his arm, causing extensive damage that required surgery.
4. A fourth worker suffered a traumatic brain injury when a piece of heavy machinery fell on him while he was working with it. The accident left him paralyzed from the waist down.
If you have been injured by contact with anodizing equipment, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. An attorney can help you determine if you have a case and, if so, what your next steps should be. In some cases, victims of anodizing equipment injuries may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturer of the equipment. An attorney will be able to advise you on the strength of your case and help you navigate the legal process.