Engineer Suffers Serious Facial Burn Injuries in Santa Rosa Agilent Chemical Explosion Accident, Investigation Ongoing
An investigation into a Santa Rosa chemical explosion accident at Agilent Technologies on April 26 could last up to six months, according to a Press Democrat article. A 45-year-old engineer suffered serious burns to his face during the explosion as he was carrying out job duties on a molecular bean epitaxy machine. As of April 28, he was in critical condition at a burn unit.
California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CalOSHA) investigators intend to interview employees and evaluate the company's accident and injury records as well as health and safety plans. By evaluating the documentation, investigators aim to identify the circumstances that contributed to the chemical accident and identify whether any health and/or safety violations led to the man's burn injuries.
According to the article, at first, the explosion raised concern that highly reactive chemicals would cause workers to suffer from exposure and contamination. However, it was determined that this wasn't the case. Nevertheless, investigators will examine whether Agilent abided by state and local rules regarding how to properly and safely use hazardous materials.
As this accident demonstrates, burn injuries can happen in the blink of an eye. San Francisco burn injury attorneys have the legal experience and resources to help burn injury victims obtain full compensation from negligent parties. Burn injuries are not only extremely painful, but they often require extensive medical care and treatment, lengthy hospital stays, multiple surgeries, and can create significant limitations to a person's mobility and day-to-day functions.
Whether an individual suffers a burn injury in an auto accident, construction accident, industrial accident, or due to a property owner's negligence, they have legal rights and may have grounds to file a lawsuit.
