Abstract: Early in the morning of December 17, 2004, Employee #1, of John R. Lawson Rock & Oil, Inc., was picking up a load of Shell AR 8000 asphalt at the Shell Oil Products asphalt plant in Martinez, CA. Employee #1 was driving a truck and trailer supplied by his employer, a bulk hauler of asphalt products. After the truck was loaded, it was discovered that the trailer was 80 pounds overweight. Employee #1 was directed to go to the unloading area (Tk-568) to remove the excess weight. A sign at the unloading area outlines the procedure for removing excess asphalt; Employee #1's employer has similar procedures. As required by both sets of procedures, Employee #1 opened the internal valve on the trailer prior to hooking up the hose. The cover/cap appeared to be stuck, so Employee #1 exerted more force. The cap popped off, and a stream of hot asphalt oil at 370 degrees F flew out from the opening. Employee #1 sustained third-degree burns to his lower right arm and received treatment at a hospital.