Inspection Detail

Inspection: 111967469 - Packaging Specialists, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Redding District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:00 p.m. on April 27, 1995, Employee #1, of Packaging Specialist, Inc., which makes pallets and other wood products, was working on the southwest side of the facility in a covered open area. He was operating a Whirlwind chop saw, model 10002L, cutting 1 1/8 in. by 5 1/2 in. cable spool staves of various lengths. Employee #1 stated that on the day before the accident, he twice had to ask a supervisor to fix the machine because it would not operate. On the day of the accident, he pushed the floor pedal to make a cut and again the saw would not operate. As he pulled out the board, the saw actuated, and the air-operated guard clamped his hand to the table. The saw jumped up, amputating his right ring finger at the base of the nail, severing the right middle finger through the bone, and severing a small portion of the fingertip on his right little finger. He was not hospitalized, and the damage to his middle finger was repaired. Employee #1 should not have allowed his fingers to cross into the danger zone.

Keywords: SEVERED, AMPUTATED, FINGER, WORK RULES, LOCKOUT, SAW, MECH MALFUNCTION