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: 1767380.015 - Pallet Distributors Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: Columbus Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 8:45 a.m. on August 6, 2024, an employee working as a machine operator for a pallet manufacturer was attempting to unjam a log from the infeed trough of a machine. The employee began climbing into the Cleereman Debarker system between the infeed conveyor and log conveyor and was approximately shoulder height within the trough. The employee used a square piece of wood to wedge in the chain of the infeed trough conveyor as it was moving. The piece of wood pushed the log back onto the chain of the conveyor and it continued inside the mill. The employee was still located between the conveyors and kickers when the sensor was cleared, and the kicker was signaled to release the next log. The log was released and struck the employee on the back of his head and shoulders, killing him.

Keywords: Blunt force, Blunt force trauma, Clogged, Conveyor, Drag Chain Conveyor, Falling Object, Head, Jammed, Lack of Work Procedures, Lockout, Lockout/Tagout, Log, Machine Guarding, Machine operator, Mill--Plant, Milling Machine, Pallet, Shoulder, Struck By, Training, Trough, Wood, Wood Board