# Poisoning, toxic, noxious, or allergenic effect, unspecified at Westfield Electroplating Company
> OSHA SIR `20231211138` · 12/6/2023 · WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** BODY SYSTEMS
- **Nature of injury:** Poisoning, toxic, noxious, or allergenic effect, unspecified
## Cause
- **Event:** Exposure through intact skin, eyes, or other exposed tissue
- **Source:** Hydrogen fluoride, hydrofluoric acid
## Employer
- **Name:** Westfield Electroplating Company
- **Location:** 68 N Elm St, WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, 01085
- **NAICS:** 332813
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

An employee from the blasting department was working on top of a cart that was oily and dirty. He took a bottle containing hydrofluoric acid (HF) (49%) thinking it contained acetone, MEK, or some other cleaning agent. He poured some of the HF on a cloth rag and started cleaning the cart. The dermal absorption of HF changed the employee's blood chemistry composition and the employee was hospitalized.

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