Inspection Detail

Note: The following inspection has not been indicated as closed. OSHA citation items will be posted 30 (thirty) days after the employer receives the citation(s), except in cases of significant public interest. Posted citation items reflect any amendments to citations that are the result of a prompt settlement, which OSHA encourages. Employers and employee representatives will continue to receive copies of the citation(s) upon issuance.

Inspection: 1465779.015 - American Housewares Mfg. Corporation

Inspection Information - Office: Tarrytown Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 10:30 a.m. on February 14, 2020, an employee was working for a firm that manufactured metal kitchen cookware, utensils, cutlery, and flatware. He was a machine operator and machinist. The machinist had 20 years' experience at the firm plus a lot before that. He was operating a mechanical power press. He had just finished repairing the press, but he had neglected to check whether the clutch pin was properly positioned. clutch pin had not been properly positioned, and after a couple of hundred operations, it was working its way out. The employee placed his hand into the die to remove a piece being manufactured. The clutch pin slipped off, causing the press to make a "repeat," or double hit. The press came down twice in rapid succession. The thumb and index finger on the employee's left hand were in the point of operation. The employee suffered the amputation of his left thumb and index finger. He was treated without hospitalization. The employer had previously reported an amputation recently, in 2018.

Keywords: Amputated, Amputation, Clutch, Double Clutched, Finger, Hand, Inadequate Maint, Instantaneous amputation, Machine operator, Machinist, Maintenance, Mechanical Power Press, Point Of Operation, Power Press, Press, Traumatic Amputation