Abstract: At approximately 9:30 a.m. on January 7, 1997, Employee #1 and his foreman were guiding a forklift operator down a ramp to the basement of a building under construction. The forklift was transporting an electrical switchgear and, as it proceeded down the ramp, Employee #1 climbed onto the vehicle to check for overhead obstructions. He placed his right hand on top of the forklift's mast, between its first and second stage. While he was doing this, the forklift's operator heard someone say "down," and lowered the unit. Employee #1's hand became caught between the two stages of the mast lift as they came together, crushing and amputating his ring and small fingers. Employee #1 was transported to UCLA Medical Center for treatment.