Current Events > Buffalo Wild Wings employee dies after exposure to 'common' cleaning agent.

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://bit.ly/32wN2Ou (MSN)

An employee of a Buffalo Wild Wings in Massachusetts died and 10 others were hospitalized Thursday night after being exposed to a floor cleaner inside the restaurant.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Thursday, emergency responders in Burlington were called to the scene following the report of a "sick individual and a potential chemical release," interim Fire Chief Michael Patterson told reporters in a video from the scene.

Patterson said the fire department arrived and found a man being treated by paramedics outside of the restaurant. He was transported to a hospital, where he died.

The man, an employee of the restaurant, was exposed to a sodium hypochlorite floor cleaner called "Super 8," which Patterson said is commonly used. Of the 11 total people hospitalized as a result of the incident, only two were customers, Patterson said.

A Buffalo Wild Wings spokesperson in a statement referred questions to local authorities, citing an ongoing investigation.

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of this tragic accident at our franchise-owned sports bar and are working closely with our franchisee and the authorities while they conduct an investigation," the spokesperson said.

Another worker "prepared the floor" with the cleaner and then immediately stepped outside for fresh air, according to Patterson. The worker who died then tried to squeegee the cleaning agent out of the restaurant "when he was overcome," Patterson said.

Patterson said the other victims in the incident transported themselves to the hospital and were suffering from difficulty breathing, runny and watery eyes and shortness of breath. He said none of the other victims were believed to be in serious condition.

A hazmat crew responded to the restaurant and declared it safe, Patterson said. He also said the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration had been informed of the incident and that local law enforcement will conduct an investigation.

Patterson advised anyone with a medical condition who was inside the restaurant to seek medical attention.

---

GoogleNews posted...

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of this tragic accident at our franchise-owned sports bar and are working closely with our franchisee and the authorities while they conduct an investigation," the spokesperson said.

So basically its all the franchise owners fault and BWW doesnt give a fuck.
---

gatorsPENSbucs posted...

So basically its all the franchise owners fault and BWW doesnt give a fuck.

Pretty much how every company is. Im sure they are sad as fuck that they are getting bad press because of this, but they know it will blow over and they will fight tooth and nail to not compensate those effected by it.
---

Perhaps it was the heat inside the place, and being an enclosed space, that caused some chemical reaction?

Seems like an obvious chloramine incident to me.
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is mentioned specifically, and all it takes is adding some ammonia to cause the described symptoms:

GoogleNews posted...

Patterson said the other victims in the incident transported themselves to the hospital and were suffering from difficulty breathing, runny and watery eyes and shortness of breath.

Every employee exposed better lawyer up. BWW, if they can't escape liability will be quick as fuck to settle and make this go away

---

BeantownHero posted...

Every employee exposed better lawyer up. BWW, if they can't escape liability will be quick as fuck to settle and make this go away

The Super 8 almost certainly has a very long warning label, specifically stating "do not mix with ammonia or acids", and a MSDS is required to be available to employees for anything even remotely "hazardous". CYA mechanisms are almost certainly in place.

If however, the label was gone and/or the MSDSs are absent, this guy's family may end up owning BWW.

Questionmarktarius posted...

Seems like an obvious chloramine incident to me.
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is mentioned specifically, and all it takes is adding some ammonia to cause the described symptoms:

GoogleNews posted...

Patterson said the other victims in the incident transported themselves to the hospital and were suffering from difficulty breathing, runny and watery eyes and shortness of breath.

Ive worked too many different jobs where I worked those chemicals, and as embarrassing as it is to admit I didnt know how dangerously easy that combo was until I saw it in Madoka Magica.

Not nearly as much chemical training as there should be in entry level jobs.
---

GoogleNews posted...

Of the 11 total people hospitalized as a result of the incident, only two were customers, Patterson said.

They say this as if its a good thing.
---

gatorsPENSbucs posted...

GoogleNews posted...

"We are shocked and saddened to learn of this tragic accident at our franchise-owned sports bar and are working closely with our franchisee and the authorities while they conduct an investigation," the spokesperson said.

So basically its all the franchise owners fault and BWW doesnt give a fuck.

uh, duh?

someone mixed a cleaning chemical incorrectly. it's not like it was in the fucking BWW handbook to poison people
---

Tag for later
---

Super 8 is widely used in plenty of establishments and restaurants. I used it when I worked under the table at a hotel when I was 17.

---

AlisLandale posted...

Not nearly as much chemical training as there should be in entry level jobs.

Even bleach and vinegar would cause a significant release of chlorine gas.
A concentrated enough bleach on a barbecue sauce spill is another plausible scenario, especially in a confined space with inadequate ventilation - such as, say, the back area of a restaurant.