Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125663278 - Waste Mgmt. Collection & Recycling, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

At 4:00 a.m. on December 27, 1995, Employee #1, a laborer for Waste Management Collection and Recycling, Inc., began cleaning around the Trommel Powerscreen and stacking conveyor being used with it. The Powerscreen and conveyor are dirty machines that drop large amounts of debris on the ground and need regular cleaning. At approximately 8:15 a.m. he was removing debris around the conveyor when he reached between the area near the bottom of the conveyor and the pulley. His hand became caught in the nip point, resulting in his entire left arm being pulled into and around the 10 in. pulley before the conveyor could be stopped. The conveyor belt had to be cut to remove his arm, which was found to be broken in several places near the shoulder and near the wrist. Employee #1 was treated at the scene by paramedics from the Sacramento, CA, Fire Department before being transported by ambulance to the UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento. He was treated for a broken arm and wrist, and released later that afternoon with a cast. No surgery had to be performed.

Keywords: FRACTURE, WORK RULES, CLEANING, CAUGHT BETWEEN, CONVEYOR, ARM, NIP POINT, PULLEY, UNGUARDED, WRIST