Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125522144 - Simsmetal America

Inspection Information - Office: Foster City District Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, working with a maintenance crew, was preparing to service a shredder mill. This equipment is used to cut crushed junk cars into small pieces for scrap metal. Their task was to turn the hammers, mounted in several rows, in order to make them wear even and extend there life. A pin which holds each row of hammers has to be pulled out using a hydraulic puller. The pin is attached to the puller by a coupler and a coupler pin. Instead of using the coupler pin, which is about two inches in diameter, Employee #1 used a steel pry bar which is less than an inch in diameter, as he was having difficulty inserting the coupler pin. The pry bar broke in two and a piece hit his head causing a skull fracture and scalp laceration. He was hospitalized.

Keywords: FRACTURE, HEAD, MAINTENANCE, LACERATION, SKULL, STRUCK BY, PRY BAR