# First degree chemical burns and corrosions at VLS Railcar - Hockley
> OSHA SIR `20181011117` · 10/28/2018 · HOCKLEY, TEXAS
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** Head and neck
- **Nature of injury:** First degree chemical burns and corrosions
## Cause
- **Event:** Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue
- **Source:** Phenol
## Employer
- **Name:** VLS Railcar - Hockley
- **Location:** 17020 Premium Dr., HOCKLEY, TEXAS, 77447
- **NAICS:** 488210
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

An employee was cleaning a railcar that was previously carrying phenol material when the employee noticed a valve in the railcar was clogged. The employee applied steam to the clog for 20 minutes to melt the material. Once complete, the employee opened the valve, which had built pressure, forcing the phenol and steam out of the pipe and onto the employee's face and neck. The employee suffered first degree burns to the face and neck and was hospitalized.

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*Source: [OSHA Severe Injury Reports](https://www.osha.gov/severe-injury-reports) · MORVS · CC0 1.0*