I had a phone call from someone who was injured at a self-service gas pump in rural Georgia. Apparently, the pumps run at up to 150 PSI and, in the type of pumps that dispense from the top of the pump, the hose can undergo what the industry describes as a "nuisance uncoupling". The end of the hose attached to the pump flew off and hit her on the head. She was sprayed with gas, and suffered ongoing medical issues from the impact with her left eye. She is convinced that if she hadn't turned her head to one side when this happened that she would have been struck on the temple and died. She indicated that this sort of defect is a known issue in the industry, but that they have done nothing to address it or make the public aware of the hazard. She's apparently done a lot of leg work on her legal case, but her attorney jumped ship when the oil company and station company sent big legal guns her way. She has refused two settlement offers as she wants to get the word out about this danger, have it acknowledged/fixed etc. etc. She has found that federal agencies pass the buck - the CPSC says the pump isn't a consumer product, the EPA doesn't regulate it, OSHA doesn't cover it as it wasn't workplace-related etc. etc. She's searching for anyone with information/experience with these kinds of accidents (which are apparently fairly routine and a known, but undisclosed, hazard). In addition, she wants to know if there are any federal pump labeling laws or other regulations that apply to gas station pumps. She has a court appearance in Federal Court tomorrow, September 3rd. If anyone on the list has experience or interest in this arena, please contact me off list and I will provide her contact info. My understanding is that her medical bills have led her to file for bankruptcy, so any expert consulting fee would depend on her winning/settling her case. Best regards, Dr. Rob Toreki -- ================================================ Interactive Learning Paradigms, Incorporated (ILPI) Training, environmental/occupational health & safety consulting Ph: (856) 449-8956, Fax: (856) 553-6154, sales**At_Symbol_Here**ilpi.com http://www.ilpi.com/ Lab & safety supplies? Visit http://www.SafetyEmporium.com/
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