How often these injuries happen
OSHA recorded 367 severe cases involving pressurized containers over the last decade. These incidents frequently result in fractures, which account for 30% of all reported injuries, often requiring extensive medical intervention and long-term recovery.
The severity of these accidents is underscored by the prevalence of thermal burns and amputations. You are at risk of injuries to your fingers, which are the most frequently impacted extremity in these environments.
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Check My BenefitsHow these injuries happen
Injuries involving pressurized containers most often stem from the sudden release of energy. Pressure Vessel Explosions account for 29% of incidents, while you are frequently struck by propelled objects or substances when a seal fails or a container ruptures. These events can occur during routine maintenance, transport, or welding near pressurized lines.
| Cause | Incidents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Explosion of pressure vessel, piping, or tire | 105 |
| 2 | Struck by propelled object or substance | 75 |
| 3 | Struck by falling object | 43 |
| 4 | Struck by suspended or swinging object | 30 |
| 5 | Compressed between running equipment and other object(s) | 22 |
| 6 | Struck by propelled, falling, or suspended object— unspecified | 17 |
| 7 | Contact with hot objects or substances | 11 |
| 8 | Injured by object handled by person | 10 |
Where injuries happen most
Manufacturing leads with 27% of all recorded incidents, as the reliance on boilers and pneumatic systems creates constant exposure. Construction follows at 20%, where the use of portable tanks and high-pressure lines increases your risk of mechanical failure or accidental impact.
Real cases like yours
Common patterns in these reports involve equipment failure during welding, improper handling of propane tanks, and unexpected pressure releases during cleaning or maintenance. If any of these scenarios sound like what happened to you, an attorney can help you review the specifics of your incident to determine if employer negligence played a role.
| Year | State | Industry | Incident summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | GA | Manufacturing | "An employee was moving a piece of metal he had just finished welding. The corner of the metal triggered the welding gun. The welding gun arced to an aerosol paint can and the can exploded. The employee sustained burns to his face, arms, and hands, and had blisters around his nose and mouth." | |
| 2025 | AL | Manufacturing | "An employee was raking out ash from a recovery boiler when he began to experience heat exhaustion. He was hospitalized." | |
| 2025 | NY | Transportation & Warehousing | "An employee was delivering propane tanks. He was unloading the propane tanks off a flatbed trailer onto the ground using a crane next to where he was standing. His knee became pinned between two 500-gallon propane tanks, resulting in bruising and swelling of the right knee that required hospitalization." | |
| 2025 | NH | Manufacturing | "An employee was cleaning a boiler when flames came out of the boiler, resulting in second-degree burns to the employee's arms, neck and face." | |
| 2025 | NY | Construction | "An employee was welding on a diesel transfer tank inside a garage. After several minutes of welding, the tank exploded. The employee was thrown from the truck on fire and suffered burns." | |
| 2025 | CO | Construction | "An employee was helping with directional bore operations. The drill hit a high-pressure gas line. The employee was thrown up into the air and fell to the ground. The employee suffered injuries to the front and back of the head, a broken wrist, and abrasions to the legs." | |
| 2025 | FL | Wholesale Trade | "An employee was delivering a keg of beer when he lost balance and dropped the keg on his right foot/big toe. The employee's right foot/big toe were fractured and required surgery." | |
| 2025 | ND | Mining | "An employee was running a pig through a water line to clear the ice. The pig caused the 12-inch water line to whip and strike the employee, resulting in a head laceration and broken leg." | |
| 2025 | TX | Utilities | "An employee was working to bring an auxiliary boiler online when there was a release of pressure from the boiler. The employee suffered a right leg fracture and an injured left shoulder." | |
| 2025 | CO | Manufacturing | "The injured employee was holding a nitrogen hose while another employee disconnected it. The hose shot off the tank and struck the injured employee in the face resulting in facial trauma and the loss of their left eye." |
Source: OSHA Severe Injury Reports. Narratives are verbatim from filings; identifying details may have been redacted by OSHA.