Inspection Detail
Inspection: 126162106 - La County Usc Medical Center
Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office
Site Address:
La County Usc Medical Center
2020 Zonal Ave, Ird Building Rm 903,905,907
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Mailing Address:
2020 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:6324
NAICS: 0
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 10/07/1997
Planning Guide: Safety-Manufacturing
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 10/07/1997
Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
---|---|---|---|
Accident | 362534638 |
Investigation Summary
At approximately 7:10 a.m. on May 15, 1997, Employee #1, who worked at the USC Medical Center, was loading empty boxes into the compacting chamber of a Kilkom baling press, model KXD48, serial #18835, patent #3,945,313. The compactor was used to compress empty boxes and to secure the bales of empty boxes with ties. Employee #1 was loading in boxes when the machine's platen fell, striking almost all of his right arm, from near his shoulder to his fingertips. He sustained severe injuries, and underwent immediate surgery to repair the damage and stop the bleeding. Additional surgery was performed two days later. In an interview with Employee #1 on September 15, 1997, he stated that he had been hospitalized for eight days following the accident. He did not lose his arm, but as of September he was still undergoing therapy. He could move his fingers slightly, but he was unable to make a fist. Employee #1 was still wearing a bandage to keep the swelling down, and he was able to raise his right arm only slightly, and with difficulty. An inspection of the compactor revealed that its pin had cracked at precisely the halfway point, which released the platen and eliminated any chance of arresting its fall.
Keywords: LOADING, PIN, EQUIPMENT FAILURE, LACERATION, BALER, STRUCK BY, ARM, FALLING OBJECT
# | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 126162106 | Hospitalized injury | Cut/Laceration | Compressing and compacting machine operators |