Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125630038 - Waste Management Of Alameda County, Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Oakland District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 6:00 a.m. on December 24, 1999, Employee #1, a garbage man for JRW Contemporary Incorporated, was operating a garbage collection truck. He was working alone on a route in Oakland. When operating the compacting blade at the rear of the truck, Employee #1 noticed that the blade was blocked from moving down by a piece of wood which was stuck under the blade. With one hand on the blade controls, Employee #1 pushed the piece of wood with his other hand to remove the block. He inadvertently activated the blade controls and caused the blade to move down and crush his fingers. His middle finger and ring finger were amputated at their top joints. He was taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland where he was hospitalized.

Keywords: GARBAGE TRUCK, AMPUTATED, FINGER, CRUSHED, BLADE, HAND