Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125774760 - Sun Pacific

Inspection Information - Office: Fresno District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 7:30 a.m. on March 24, 1997, Employee #1, who worked for a large farming company, was operating a tractor with a sulfur machine. He stopped the tractor to add a new bag of sulfur to the bin. These bags of sulfur were from last year, and the paper ripped into small pieces. A paper shred became caught in the auger. He was trying to remove it with his left index finger when the tip of his finger was amputated. Employee #1 received medical treatment and returned to work the same day. The sulfur machines were all adequately guarded. The auger was guarded by a metal cylinder approx. 3 in. in diameter and sat back approximately 16 in. from the frame of the machine. The only openings were on the side of the cylinder, which was about 1/2 in. to 3/4 in. Because of the size of the holes and their location, it seems unlikely that anything more than skin loss ( i.e., no bone loss) would occur while the machine was operating. The employer had provided specific training on the sulfur machine, and documentation was obtained and confirmed by Employee #1. Proper procedures require an employee to disengage the PTO on the tractor and, if necessary, to use an extension tool. Employee #1 had worked for this company for six years and used a sulfur machine for about three months of the year. Safety programs and disciplinary policies were enforced. No violations were issued regarding this accident.

Keywords: AGRICULTURE, FINGER, FARM MACHINERY, CAUGHT BY, AUGER, EXTENSION HANDLE, TRACTOR, POWER TAKE-OFF