Inspection Detail

Inspection: 120181813 - Maxco Supply Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

On July 25, 1994, Employee #1 was using a saw to cut pieces of laminate; he kept the laminate on his left side and scrap pieces on his right. Employee #1's left hand was removing scrap from under the saw blade when the 3/16 in. cable that was holding the saw broke. The saw fell, amputating three fingers and part of his left hand. The saw had been received from the manufacturer approximately a month before the accident, and no problems had been noted during the monthly plant walk-through on July 13, 1994. On July 27, 1994, the manufacturer changed the cable/pulley system to a #50 chain/sprocket system. The cable in place at the time of the accident had a tensile strength of 4,200 lb.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, BROKEN CABLE, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, SAW, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, HAND