Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1238985.015 - Grimmway Enterprises, Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Bakersfield District Office

Investigation Summary

At 1:15 a.m. on 05/26/2017, a sanitation worker was cleaning equipment in the cut plant area and was alone. The employee was periodically assigned to clean this area since February 27, 2017. The employee had cleaned it about 15 times prior to this accident. The employee was washing down sizer #4 south. The employee started work at 10:30 pm. The employee was wearing rain gear (overall & Jacket), rubber boots, gloves, and sleeves. The employee had forgotten his locks, hasp, tags, and cable in his locker. The employee sprayed most of the equipment off with the hose while it was still on. The employee turned off most of the conveyors and equipment except the secondary roll sizer #4. The employee finished spraying all the equipment off. At approximately 1:15 am, the employee noticed there was a bag and a carrot stuck in the secondary sizer equipment on the roller. It was not spinning and assumed it was off. The employee reached in to remove the bag and it suddenly spun and pulled his arm in. The roller is about 3 ? feet from the floor on the north side of the equipment. The employee yelled for help and a nearby sanitation inventory worker heard the employee and responded. The coworker shut off the equipment and called for help. The sanitation supervisor responded and called emergency services. The employee sustained an amputation of his left arm below the elbow as a result of the crushing injury from the equipment. The employee had his arm caught on the roller which consisted of a horizontal spinning rod that has fourteen, 6 inch long, protruding bars.

Keywords: Amputation, Arm, Caught In, Conveyor, Lockout/Tagout