Abstract: EMPLOYEE #1 REMOVED A GEAR COVER AND ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE A WORM GEAR ON THE SHAFT. HE TOLD ANOTHER EMPLOYEE, WHO WAS WALKING BY. TO "HIT IT". THE OTHER EMPLOYEE PRESSED THE START BUTTON WITH EMPLOYEE #1'S LEFT INDEX FINGER STILL BETWEEN THE WORM AND DRIVE GEARS. HIS FINGER WAS CRUSHED. EMPLOYEE #1 WAS ON HIS KNEES TO THE RIGHT OF THE GEAR BOX. THE OTHER EMPLOYEE WAS ABOUT FIFTEEN FEET AWAY. EMPLOYEE #1 SUSTAINED AN AMPUTATION OF HIS ENTIRE LEFT INDEX FINGER. THE EMPLOYEES HAD BEEN TRAINED IN THE PROPER WAY TO REPAIR THESE GEARS. EMPLOYEE #1 DISREGARED A POSTED PLANT SAFETY RULE REQUIRING THAT MACHINERY BE LOCKED OUT WHILE BEING WORKED ON.