Episode 111 tackles one of the most severe but often misunderstood industrial hazards: chemical injection injuries. Dr. Ayers breaks down what they are, how they happen, and why they are so dangerous—even when the injury looks minor on the surface. This episode is a wake‑up call for anyone working with pressurized systems, hydraulics, or high‑pressure chemical applications.
Chemical injection injuries are medical emergencies. They often look small, but the damage beneath the skin is catastrophic. Immediate action—not “wait and see”—is the only safe response.
A chemical injection injury occurs when a high‑pressure system forces chemicals through the skin and deep into tissue. Common sources include:
Hydraulic lines
Pressure washers
Grease guns
Chemical sprayers
High‑pressure cleaning systems
The entry wound may be tiny, but the internal spread is massive.
Dr. Ayers emphasizes that injection injuries:
Deliver chemicals deep into muscle, fat, and connective tissue
Cause rapid tissue death
Spread faster than surface injuries
Often require surgery or amputation
Can become life‑threatening within hours
The danger is hidden, which leads workers to underestimate the severity.
The episode highlights real‑world situations where injection injuries occur:
A pinhole leak in a hydraulic hose spraying fluid into a worker’s hand
A pressure washer jet penetrating gloves and skin
A grease gun injecting material into a finger
A chemical sprayer malfunction causing a jet stream to puncture skin
These incidents often happen during routine tasks, not high‑risk operations.
Dr. Ayers explains the psychology behind delayed treatment:
The wound looks small
Pain may be minimal at first
Workers don’t want to “make a big deal”
Lack of awareness about the severity
This delay is what leads to amputations and severe complications.
The episode stresses that injection injuries require:
Immediate medical evaluation
Emergency department treatment
Clear communication that it is a high‑pressure injection injury
Rapid surgical consultation
First aid alone is not sufficient.
Key prevention measures include:
Inspecting hoses, fittings, and equipment before use
Using guards and shields around high‑pressure lines
Wearing appropriate PPE (though PPE alone cannot stop injection)
Training workers to recognize early signs of leaks
Reinforcing a “stop work” culture when equipment behaves abnormally
Prevention is the only reliable control.
Chemical injection injuries are deceptive, fast‑moving, and devastating. The only safe response is immediate medical treatment and a strong prevention culture. Dr. Ayers’ message is clear: treat every high‑pressure leak or puncture as an emergency—because it is.
