Abstract: At approximately 11:40 a.m. on June 16, 2009, an employee was attempting to unplug the flex-i-con auger that was still in operation, and was not lock-out or tagged-out. The employee had his right fourth finger cut off. The employee was transported to Bakersfield Memorial Hospital, Bakersfield, CA, and subsequently treated by Vernon Sorenson, M.D., Bakersfield, CA. The employee was not hospitalized. The controlling employer did not have machine specific procedures for the meal line flex-i-con auger, and the exposing employer did not inquire as to the existence of machine specific lock-out/tag-out procedures for said machine. The hopper was 29-in. from the floor to the top edge of the hopper. The hopper did not have a guard over the top area until after the accident occurred.