Worker dies after falling into sulfuric acid in South Lyon

South Lyon police said a 54-year-old man has died after he fell into a tank of sulfuric acid.

The South Lyon man, who police have not identified, was taken to the University of Michigan hospital in Ann Arbor on Saturday after he fell at Michigan Seamless Tube on McCunn Street near 10 Mile Road.

Police said the temperature of the acid was approximately 160 degrees.

It is unknown how the man fell but South Lyon police said the man pulled out of the tank fairly quickly. Police said The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is also investigating the incident.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, sulfuric acid is used in many industries and is highly corrosive.

Chemical exposure through inhalation, ingestion or direct contact can destroy the skin, eyes, teeth and lungs. Severe exposure can result in death.

A preliminary investigation by state officials states the man was a technician receiving training and working adjacent to a large chemical tank when he fell in. He was removed from the tank with the assistance of a co-worker.

According to Michigan Seamless Tube's website, the company creates boiler tubes, mechanical tubes and pipes.

Michigan Seamless Tube officials released a written statement about the accident, in which they said, "A valued Michigan Seamless Tube employee was involved in a serious industrial accident on Saturday afternoon."

The statement went on to note the employee was taken to U-M Hospital, where he died and it concluded, "The Company is conducting a comprehensive investigation of the accident and is cooperating with the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration."

South Lyon Police Chief Chris Sovik said he was not aware of any previous chemical vat accidents at the business, but said several years ago, a machine accident there resulted in the death of an employee.

This accident is not a criminal investigation, Sovik said.

Pardeep Toor, public information officer for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, said the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation "may take several weeks or months to complete."

Susan Bromley at hometownlife.com contributed to this report.

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