Abstract: At 8:45 p.m. on September 22, 1989, Employee #1, a relief operator, was tending a corn chip sheeter machine. The guard on the drive gears had a 2.5 inch by 12 inch slot opening that was directly over the drive gear. Employee #1 had his left hand resting on the guard. The little finger of Employee #1 entered the slot and became engaged by the gears pulling the hand through the gears. The left hand was severely damaged over the thumb, fingers, and palm. Employee #1 was transported to Saint Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. The left hand of Employee #1 was surgically amputated at the wrist.