In Easthampton, Massachusetts, a 19-year-old car wash worker nearly died when her scarf got caught in a rotating scrubber, cutting off her airway.
A customer, John A. O’Leary, of Southampton, Massachusetts, saw the worker in danger, jumped out of his car as it moved along the wash rail, and cut her free using a pocket knife. O’Leary also revived the injured worker using mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
The worker, Stephani M. Carpluk, of Chicopee, spent three days in treatment for face and neck injuries at Baystate Medical Center before getting released from the hospital.
The Easthampton police have provided the Occupational Safety and Health Administration with pictures and reports of the car wash accident. OSHA said it plans to investigate.
OSHA to Investigate Carwash Choking Accident, ModernCarCare.com, February 12, 2009
Federal agency to investigate accident at Easthampton car wash that nearly strangled Chicopee worker, The Republican, February 11, 2009
Contact a Massachusetts workplace accident lawyer if you have been injured on the job.