Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125559146 - Monterey Mushrooms

Inspection Information - Office: Fremont District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 7:50 a.m. on October 1, 2000, Employee #1 was spray cleaning the rollers on the lower side of the mushroom spawn line. He opened the screen gate that guarded the rollers and was using a water hose to clean the equipment. There was a chain and sprocket exposed after he opened the screen. He followed the written procedure for lock out tag out to this point, which allowed him to restart the machine to augment the cleaning. The employer said the employee was told repeatedly to spray the equipment from a safe distance. The employer failed to provide a method or equipment to prevent employee exposure to the rollers and associated moving equipment. Employee #1 was spraying the equipment from a distance and moved closer to get a better angle to perform the work. While spraying with his right hand, the employee lost track of his left hand and probably put his hand down to support himself as he leaned in to get closer to his work. The employee's fingers went under the frame and were caught by the sprocket and chain, amputating his finger to the first knuckle. The employer has since placed another guard over the sprocket and chain, preventing future exposure when the gate is opened.

Keywords: CHAIN, AMPUTATED, FOOD PREPARATION, AGRICULTURE, FINGER, CLEANING, CAUGHT BY, HOSE, SPROCKET, UNGUARDED