Inspection Detail

Inspection: 125931865 - Bimbo Bakeries Usa

Inspection Information - Office: High Hazard Unit - South

Investigation Summary

On February 27, 2002, Employee #1 and a coworker worked for Bimbo Bakery USA and were members of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union, Local 315. Employee #1 was operating Pan-O-Mat Number 1 and his coworker was operating Pan-O-Mat Number 2. Employee #1 was ensuring that the baking pans on Pan-O-Mat Number 1 were straight, watching out for "doubles," and ensuring that all the slots in the pans were filled with dough. On the evening of the accident, Employee #1 was having difficulty, and stated that the dough was not coming out right and the pans were sticking on the conveyor belts, eventually getting stuck on the line. At one point, Employee #1 called for assistance from his coworker and unjammed the pans. Later that evening at approximately 12:00 a.m., the coworker noticed that Pan-O-Mat Number 1 was jammed again and notified Employee #1. Employee #1 noticed that the dough was jammed and began pulling the dough by hand above the machine, while it was in operation. As Employee #1 was pulling the dough away, the pile of dough became lower and lower, and close to the rollers. Employee #1 continued to pull the dough and his right hand was pulled in between the two rollers of the Pan-O-Mat Number 1. The coworker did not know how to stop the Pan-O-Mat machine and the rollers continued to pull Employee #1's right hand. Eventually, the coworker found the emergency stop button. Employee #1 instructed another coworker (not known) to turn a knob at the back of the machine, which allowed him to pull his hand out. Employee #1 was hospitalized, where he was treated for a crushing injury to his right hand.

Keywords: JAMMED, ROLLER--MACH/PART, CRUSHED, UNTRAINED, HAND, CONTUSION