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: 1573271.015 - Asap Distribution Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Sacramento District Office

Investigation Summary

At 12:30 p.m. on December 27, 2021, an employee was working for a firm that manufactured plastic bags and pouches. Specifically, the firm made mailing envelopes lined with bubble wrap. There were no other employers at the worksite. The employee was directly employed by the company. The manufacturing process involved a variety of machinery and equipment. The employee worked as a machine operator. The incident occurred on line M5. Line M5 used a continuous web of film to make mailing envelopes. The line was in production, when a machine became jammed in its conveyor area, right before the cutter head. The machine stopped, and the employee went over to the conveyor area to clear the jam. With the machine still energized, the employee loosened the levers to the safety box guarding the point of operation. The employee pulled the loosened safety box away from the point of operation to allow his hand access to the film passing through the cutter head. The employee reached into the machine to pull the film through the cutter head. With his right hand holding the film and his left hand on the cutter head jog button, the employee pressed the jog button. The cutter blades closed. Three of the employee's fingers were amputated at about the first knuckle. He was hospitalized. The employer phoned DOSH to report the incident at approximately 4:17 p.m. that same day. The employer reported the accident within the required timeframe. DOSH arrived at employer's site at approximately 8:30 a.m. on January 19, 2022, to initiate an accident investigation. No accident-related citations were to be issued, though other citations were issued.

Keywords: Amputated, Amputation, Blade, Conveyor, Cut, Finger, Jammed, Lockout, Machine Cycled, Machine Guarding, Machine operator, Plastic Mfg, Point Of Operation, Safety Device, Safety Latch, Work Rules