Inspection Detail

Inspection: 126167196 - 3 Chiefs And No Indians Dba California Sample Serv

Inspection Information - Office: Van Nuys District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:30 p.m. on August 16, 2004, an employee was working alone on one of the employer's paper cutters, Polar Mohr Eletromat 115, manufactured in Germany. The paper cutter operated by a two-hand control that lowered a gate to secure the cardboard stock and then lowered the guillotine knife. The machine was also equipped with a foot pedal, which could be used to lower the gate independently, providing an option which could be used to line up and secure the product before making a cut. The foot pedal was observed to only activate the gate and not the guillotine. Once the pedal and clamp have been used to secure the product, the operator could depress the two-hand control to lower the knife and cut the stock. The employee was using the paper cutter to make chips, which were the cardboard backings that were used to secure the fabric samples and make the fabric sample books. While he was lining up the cardboard stock underneath the gate, he depressed the foot pedal and the clamp lowered, crushing three fingers on his right hand. The employee was taken to Northridge Hospital. His injuries resulted in the amputation of the middle and index fingers on his right hand. The employee was not hospitalized. During interview, the employee stated that he had not received training on the paper cutter machines from his current employer. He stated that he had prior experience working with paper cutters while working for another company. According to the employee, he has not participated in health and safety meetings and stated that he was not aware of health and safety meetings conducted by the company.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, MACHINE OPERATOR, CAUGHT BY, STRUCK BY