Daniel Hill's Industrial Accident
In the quiet city of South Lyon, Michigan, lies the Michigan Seamless Tube Plant, an industrial facility known for crafting metal tubing and piping. This unassuming factory, west of Detroit, transforms raw cylindrical chunks of metal into various sizes and lengths of tubing using a process involving extreme heat and harsh chemicals. Among these chemicals is sulfuric acid, a colorless and odorless liquid known for its corrosive nature and commonly employed in industrial manufacturing. Despite its widespread use, sulfuric acid poses significant dangers, causing severe burns and potentially fatal injuries upon contact with the skin.
On a fateful Saturday, February 9th, 54-year-old Daniel Hill embarked on his routine journey to work at the Michigan Seamless Tube Plant. Having recently relocated to the countryside near the factory with his family, the Hills were reportedly delighted with their newfound proximity to nature. However, tragedy struck that day within the factory's confines. Details of the incident remain shrouded in mystery, but it appears Daniel fell into an open vat containing a 12% sulfuric acid solution. Co-workers, witnessing the horrifying scene, rushed to his aid, managing to pull him from the vat despite sustaining burns from the scalding liquid maintained at 160 Fahrenheit.
Although he was initially conscious and able to walk, Daniel's condition deteriorated rapidly. Paramedics arrived promptly, transporting him to Ann Arbor University Hospital, where medical professionals fought tirelessly for 11 hours to save him. Sadly, Daniel succumbed to the extensive burns covering his entire body. The circumstances leading to his fall into the vat remain unclear, leaving lingering questions about the sequence of events that unfolded that tragic day. Following an investigation, the Michigan Seamless Tube Plant faced fines amounting to $93,000, citing safety-related concerns, including inadequate training on hazardous energy sources for numerous workers.