Clifton worker in critical condition after fall into tank of acid
Source: NORTHJERSEY.COM
An ironworker who fell 40 feet from the roof of a manufacturing plant into a tank of acid and was pulled out by a co-worker was in critical condition Monday afternoon, according to his family.
Martin Davis, 44, of Avenel, was working on the roof of Swepco Tube LLC, a metal tube manufacturing plant, when he fell into the tank of nitric acid, sustaining burns from head to toe about 8:40 a.m.
Co-worker Rob Knucols, 51, who was on the ground floor, immediately jumped into the vat and was waist high in acid while he and three other roofers pulled the victim out, said Fire Chief Vincent Colavitti, Jr.
Knucols told firefighters after the ordeal: “I had to get him out of there.”
Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/clifton/Man_falls_40_feet_into_a_tank_of_acid_in_Clifton.html?c=y&page=1
I'm not sure that I would have leaped into a vat of acid to rescue someone, but I guess you never know until it happens.
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We were taught that the highest risk of casualty other than the person in distress is to the first responder. People often react without thinking, and become part of the problem. It was a heroic thing to do. I hope they both recover. 
The contractor didn't have permits for the work, apparently. 
If you know the roof has corroded due to acid fumes, what are you doing on it without safety ropes? There was a lot of dumb involved, I think. 
...
When does that first guy to fall in get his super powers? Isn't that how it works in the comic books..."Normal guys falls into vat of chemicals (acid in this case) gets super powers...hmmmm....ability to shot acid from all his eyes maybe....if only real life were that interesting 
)
I hope OSHA does look into it....that poor man should not have had the ability to fall into an open vat of acid. There is a broader story there I think. Hope they both recover with no permanent scaring.
