Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120138334 - Nextec Applications Inc

Inspection Information - Office: San Diego District Office

Investigation Summary

At 12:30 p.m. on April 13, 2000, Employee #1, a production development worker, partially amputated her index, middle and ring fingertips on her right hand while cleaning the rollers on the wringer. During the cleaning process, the glove on her right hand got caught in the wringer, pulling her right hand into the rollers. Company records show that Employee #1 was trained by the supervisor of the research and development section and had performed the cleaning function many times in the past several months without incident. Since Employee #1 had obtained legal counsel, the employee refused an interview to discuss the incident. After the accident, the company suspended operation of the equipment. They then developed a complete operations manual and written cleaning procedures for the company-owned machine before returning it to service. Investigation revealed that Employee #1 had reversed the wringer direction while standing at the rear of the wringer. Employee #1 did not follow the company cleaning procedure when the direction was reversed. As a result, the point of operation became a serious in-running roller hazard and pulled Employee #1's right hand into the 0.375-inch area between the rollers. The skin of the index, middle and ring fingers was pulled off the fingertips as Employee #1 removed her hand from the nip point. Employee #1 was taken to a local urgent care center and from there to a regional medical center where she was hospitalized for further treatment.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, ROLLER--MACH/PART, CAUGHT BETWEEN, NIP POINT, HAND