# Fractures at Northern Plains Railroad / Northern Plains Rail Services
> OSHA SIR `2024054491` · 5/22/2024 · SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN
## Severity
- **1 hospitalization**
- **Body part:** Lower leg(s)
- **Nature of injury:** Fractures
## Cause
- **Event:** Struck by discharged object or substance
- **Source:** Hydraulic and pressurized hoses, lines
- **Secondary source:** Heavy rail vehicles  unspecified
## Employer
- **Name:** Northern Plains Railroad / Northern Plains Rail Services
- **Location:** 2407 Stinson Avenue, SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN, 54880
- **NAICS:** 488210
- **Jurisdiction:** 1
## Narrative

An employee was connecting a train to standing rail cars on a track. He connected air hoses for the brakes to the car ahead of it so the brakes could be released. He then opened the angle cock (2-stage valve to give air or take air away from the system) and heard an air leak, so he closed the angle cock and tightened the gladhands. The angle cock was opened again and the gladhand coupling disconnected. Up to 90 psi of air that was trapped in the line caused one of the gladhand connectors to strike his right shin, causing a laceration and a fractured tibia. The employee was hospitalized.

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