Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125836320 - Mercy American River Hospital

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

Employee #1, a housekeeper at a hospital, and a coworker were carrying trash to the compactor. The coworker loaded some trash into the hopper and, observing Employee #1 standing clear of the front of the compactor, inserted the key to operate the machine and activated the two control buttons to lower the hopper door. She heard Employee #1 scream and quickly activated the UP button. Four fingers on Employee #1's left hand were crushed by the lowered hopper door. For some reason, Employee #1 had stepped forward and placed her hand on the top edge of the hopper. Lowering the hopper door requires two hands, as both control buttons must be activated simultaneously and continuously to keep the door lowering. Both Employee #1 and the coworker were well-trained in using the compactor.

Keywords: HAND CONTROL, FINGER, WORK RULES, CAUGHT BETWEEN, CRUSHED, TRASH COMPACTOR, DOOR, HAND, HOPPER