Inspection Detail

Inspection: 119879187 - 3 Day Blinds

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

At about 11:20 a.m. on December 19, 1993, Employee #1, of 3-Day Blinds, Inc., was working on a motor. Employee #1 said that, prior to removing the guard cover of the belt and pulley drives, he had de-energized the unit by unplugging the twistlock-type plug and had attached a warning tag. He replaced the motor with a rebuilt motor. He then removed the tag from the plug and energized the unit. He turned on the switch but because the motor did not start, he reached in the timing belt. The motor suddenly started, catching his left pinkie finger between the belt and the motor pulley, which amputated its tip. He was taken to a doctor for treatment. He said that he should not have done that and that he knew better. The reasons for no accident related violations are: (1) the employer had a written energy control procedure (lockout/tagout program) and the employees have been trained; (2) Employee #1 followed the procedure before making the repair; (3) Employee #1 admitted his error.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, REPAIR, BELT, FINGER, WORK RULES, CAUGHT BETWEEN, PULLEY