Ohio McDonald’s employee hospitalized after reaching into fryer for dropped earbud
BELMONT COUNTY, OH (WTRF) – An employee at the Martins Ferry McDonald’s reportedly suffered burns when her earbud fell into a vat of hot grease and she reportedly reached in to retrieve it.
Officials tell 7 News that Martins Ferry EMS responded to the call of a woman with burns to the hand.
They transported her to WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.
Officials say it happened just before 4 p.m. yesterday.
That is all the information released to us at this time. Stick with 7 News.
An employee at a McDonald’s restaurant in Ohio was hospitalized after sustaining serious burns while attempting to retrieve a dropped wireless earbud from a deep fryer, according to local reports.
The incident occurred during a work shift when the employee accidentally dropped the earbud into an active fryer filled with hot oil. In an attempt to recover the device, the worker reached into the fryer, resulting in immediate and severe burn injuries. Emergency medical services were called to the scene, and the employee was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The current condition of the individual has not been publicly disclosed.
McDonald’s has acknowledged the incident and stated that employee safety remains a top priority. The company indicated it is cooperating with local authorities and conducting an internal review to understand the circumstances surrounding the accident. It also emphasized the importance of following established safety procedures in kitchen environments, particularly around high-temperature equipment.
Workplace safety experts note that commercial fryers can reach temperatures exceeding 175°C (350°F), making contact extremely dangerous. They stress that objects falling into hot oil should never be retrieved manually and that proper shutdown and safety protocols must always be followed.
The incident has sparked renewed discussion about workplace safety training, distraction risks, and the use of personal electronic devices in fast-food kitchens. Local labor authorities have not yet confirmed whether a formal investigation will be launched.
