Abstract: At approximately 7:00 a.m. on October 20, 1999, Employee #1, a machine operator's helper, was setting-up and aligning top and bottom dies on a hydraulic punch press. Employee #1 had been wearing safety glasses at all times, but removed them temporarily to obtain better view of the point of operation. Although the hydraulic press ram had been moving at very low speed (being hydraulically operated), the bottom die chipped on contact and projected splinters into Employee #1's right eye, causing profuse bleeding. Employee #1 was taken to the hospital and received surgery for removal of his eye. Employee #1 was hospitalized.