Burns Can Be Life Threatening

Mews brief An Ohio water treatment plant supervisor suffered third-degree burns over 75 percent of his body when excess lime spilled into a premixed batch of lime and water. When the excess lime fell into the vat, it splashed the near-boiling concoction onto the supervisor. The accident occurred because a void was created in the tank where the powdered lime was stored. The lime above the void tumbled down all at once, rather than in the usual measured increments. 

The supervisor was placed into a medically induced coma for three months to prevent further pain while the hospital staff peeled off layers of his scarred and damaged flesh. This victim was burned on every part of his body except for the palms of his hands, his face, chest, and feet. He endured months of painful skin grafts, and his hospital stay lasted more than six months. 

The plant where the accident occurred now has vibrators on the lime bin to keep the dry lime powder from clumping. In addition, the plant installed an automatic valve system, which shuts off operations if an excess of lime is being delivered. A shower stall was built in the lime room for quickly rinsing off hot lime that may get on employees clothing or skin. 

particularly quicklime, is an alkaline material that reacts in the presence of moisture. When lime and water are mixed, a chemical reaction causes the mixture to quickly heat up to about 160° F. In the above incident, an excess of powdered lime falling into the previously mixed lime instantaneously produced temperatures to well 

The material safety data sheet (MSDS) for a specific lime product should always be consulted for detailed first aid information. The National Lime Association recommends that when working with lime, operators should wear personal protective equipment  

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Skin Damage can range from dermatitis and irritation to necrosis and scarring. Extensive and severe chemical burns can be life threatening. 

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