Respiratory Protection – Autobody Repair and Paintwork Fatality File

Employee experiences fatal medical event due to heat exposure and respiratory protective equipment use

At 12:57 p.m. on July 3, 2024, Employee #1 was spraying paint while wearing a respirator. The employee grabbed a trash bin and removed the mask, appearing to have difficulty breathing before collapsing to the floor. The employee struck his head on the concrete when he fell.

When the employer arrived, the employee was unresponsive and not breathing. The fatality was determined to be a combination of heat exposure, respiratory protective equipment use and pre-existing cardiovascular/pulmonary health conditions.

Source: https://www.osha.gov