Inspection Detail

Inspection: 300912573 - Emerald Forest Products Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Eugene

Investigation Summary

On March 8, 1998, Employee #1, who worked for the Emerald Forest Products Inc., was charging a load of plywood into a press. Employee #1 pressed the close button when he saw a misaligned panel in the bottom opening. Employee #1 pressed the "open" button and then repressed the "close" button almost immediately. He went between the press and charger to align the panel. The press reached the bottom (on the open cycle), contacting the limit switches, and then immediately began closing (on the close cycle) again, with Employee #1's left hand ring, middle, and index fingers in the press. Employee #1 was hospitalized and his index finger was amputated at the middle joint. The employer changed the control wiring so that the "close" function only works after the bottom limits are contacted.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, PRESS