Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1495620.015 - Wm. T. Burnett Foam, Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Department Of Labor, Licensing, And Regulation Division Of Labor And Industry Maryland Occupational Safety And Health

Investigation Summary

At 9:30 a.m. on September 30, 2020, an employee was working for a polyurethane products manufacturer operating a Fecken-Kirfel Hole Bore Machine in the large peeler area. The employee was positioned on the southside of the machine and needed to move to the northside. There were materials stored around the machine including, but not limited to, boxes and silicone. The materials blocked the employee from going around the machine, so he stepped across the machine. While stepping across the machine, the employee realized that he could not fit and he became stuck between the 20-foot long by3-foot diameter foam roll and the 13-1/2-inch long, 2-1/2-inch diameter shaft. The employee attempted to press the button to move the foam roll away from the shaft, but he could not see the control panel. The employee then pressed the incorrect button, causing the foam roll to move towards the shaft, crushing the employee between the shaft and the foam roll. The employee called for help and a coworker pushed the button to move the foam roll away from the shaft. Paramedics were called and transported the employee to shock/trauma. The employee was hospitalized with a traumatic abdominal hernia.

Keywords: Abdomen, Caught Between, Contusion, Crushed, Foam, Hernia, Housekeeping, Lack of Engineering Controls, Machine Guarding, Machine operator, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Pinch Point, Pinched, Work Surface