Tech worker dies in vat of sulfuric acid

A worker at a circuit board factory in Redwood City, Calif., was found dead in a waist-high vat of sulfuric acid over the weekend.

Even more disturbing, the man's body was discovered by his father.

If this hadn't been reported by respectable news agencies, it would have "urban myth" or "bad mafia movie" written all over it.

The news, however, was reported early Sunday by the San Mateo Daily Journal and later expanded by the San Jose Mercury News.

According to the Mercury News, Fernando Jimenez Gonzalez, 18, was working at the Coastal Circuits factory when he apparently passed out from fumes as he dipped circuit boards into a tank for acid copper plating.

When Gonzalez didn't return home from his shift, his father went to search for him. Gonzalez's body was discovered around 2 a.m. Sunday.

A company executive, interviewed by the Mercury News, declined to comment on why police believe Gonzalez wasn't wearing protective gear.

The plant is now closed, according to the Mercury News, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

[Stating]

Fluent In English?

Did the victim speak English? Was he here legally? How long had he been working at the factory? Are there other workers at the factory who do not speak English? What are the OSHA requirements for training and multilingual translation of safety placards, manuals, etc.? This story raises more questions than it answers.

[pctec100]

Re: Fluent in English?

You'll have even more questions if you read the article from San Jose Mercury that they linked too.<br /><br />There was another employee working with him the night this occurred. The article says about him, "It's unclear why that worker didn't call emergency crews."<br /><br />It also states that there are signs around the area with emergency numbers posted. One of the numbers is outdated and belongs to a retired employee.

[techhawkfez]

What?

You're basically assuming that the worker is an illegal because of a last name, and that he doesn't speak English. What the hell?

[thescale]

What???

"If this hadn't been reported by respectable news agencies, it would have "urban myth" or "bad mafia movie" written all over it. "<br /><br />Are you kidding me with this line? Pathetic.

[inachu]

not again...

I read this article fine.....<br /><br />Then someone spouts off the equivilent, "TYPE IN ENGLISH!"<br /><br /><br />grow up.

[ejevo]

Reading comprehension...

Work on it.

[chuck_whealton]

How Sad...

I saw one person commenting from the "was he here legally" angle.<br /><br />I think you're missing the point, which was that the poor guy died in a vat of sulfuric acid and his Father found him. That's sad as heck.<br /><br />Geez, have a bit of compassion?<br /><br />Charles Whealton

[nmoore6676]

Safety

I have worked in plating and similar businesses. Besides the issues of training and the lack of respirators there is the question why was he alone in the plant. Most factories require that at least two people be on site when any type of machinery or processing is going on. The owners of this business should be behind bars for many years.<br /><br />By the way if Mr. Gonzalez was undocumented that points up another serious side of that controversy, the exploitation of those who can not complain.

[zboot]

The article does not say

that he was alone.

[mayhakjm]

Pure Spectacle

The biggest question this raises for me is why am I even hearing about it: If the vat had been anything but acid, would it have been reported?<br /><br />It's extremely unfortunate that such a tragedy happened, but it's also sad that "Tech worker dies in vat of acid" is one of CNET's headlines. Aren't there stories out there that have some relevance to the common user? I'm ashamed I clicked the link and supported the practice, but "news" like this really gets to me......

[three_toed_frog]

Spectacle?

The man died in a vat of acid.<br /><br />Acid, for Christ's sake.<br /><br />Would you hear about it had he fell into a vat of water?<br /><br />No. Because he more than likely would have been able to swim and pull himself out. Not an easy task in the case of acid when your flesh is being dissolved.<br /><br />It's disgusting to see your attitude about it.

[shygeek]

Worker Dies in Acid Vat

This death was unnecessary. Regardless of whether<br />the man was undocumented or not, couldn't the<br />company provide him with a respirator seeing as to<br />he was working with noxious fumes ?<br />O.S.H.A. needs to look in this. Someone at that<br />company dropped the ball. How many other workers<br />lives and or health are in jeopardy at that plant?

[benjwah]

Making an Ass of U & Me

...Or just you.<br />The reason investigations are held is to confirm all the facts. I work supervising a factory environment and can tell you for sure that we are constantly trying to get our workers to wear safety gear but there's always a few who take off the gear as soon as we're out of sight. They say it's either 'uncomfortable' or 'inconvenient' or make up other excuses and we reply that they can be 'uncomfortable' or 'in grave danger' and they choose 'in grave danger'. <br />With that in mind, some companies DO skimp on safety gear and should be prosecuted, but to automatically point the finger at the company shows gross ignorance. <br />How would you feel if you spent your days trying to ensure your workers' safety only to have one ignore it all and die. Then, to add insult to injury, a chorus of 'holier-than-thou's then points the finger at you for his death?

[jehjeh2]

Poor man

I don't know whom I feel worse for--the man who fell or his father who found him. But I would like to know why he wasn't wearing his protective suit. Can't help but wonder if it wasn't foul play after all...

[filby]

More urban legend than fact

The San Jose Mercury News later updated their report to rescind some of that original story. Turns out the vat was mostly water, and only a few feet deep. Later reports said that, even if it was strongly acidic, it wouldn't have caused the worker to lose consciousness. Last I heard, local authorities were still trying to find out why he fell into the vat.