Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1570421.015 - Waste Management Recycling And Disposal Services Of California, Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

At 10:40 a.m. on December 24, 2021, an employee was working as a heavy-duty mechanic for a firm that collected solid waste. He was using an air gun to clean a piece of electrical equipment. The air gun was running at line pressure of approximately 90 psi (620 kPa), without a safety tip. As he blew out the dirt, the high-pressure air entered a small puncture in the mechanic's ungloved left thumb. The air inflated the skin in his thumb and hand. The mechanic thought he was in trouble, his blood pressure increased, and he became dizzy. Emergency medical services were called, and the employee was taken to an emergency room for treatment. He was released a few hours later with a deflated hand. He was not hospitalized. The fire department reported the accident to DOSH, as fire department personnel did not know that the injured employee was not admitted to the hospital. The employee had suffered barotrauma to his left hand from the high-pressure compressed air.

Keywords: Air Pressure, Cleaning, Compressed Air, Glove, Hand, High Pressure, Inflating, Maintenance, Pressure, Puncture, Traumatic