Abstract: Employee #1, an operator trainee working the second shift in a sewing department, was using a K-10 panel cutter. As the quilted tack was coming down the panel cutter, she put her hand under a modified, fixed guard with an opening of approximately 6 in. to prevent excess material from the cut from jamming around the machine blades. Employee #1 was grabbing at the extra material when the finished product came in contact with the electronic eye that activated the horizontal blade. Employee #1's right hand was amputated. At the time of the accident, her trainer was on the opposite side of the panel cutter, monitoring the product. Interviews with Employee #1 and with the trainer revealed that no procedure had been established for removing jams. Lockout had not been addressed with Employee #1, and no lockout/tagout procedures were implemented. Employee #1 had been working on the cutter for 6 days.