Inspection Detail

Inspection: 305474371 - Technical Devices Co

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 2:16 p.m. on September 17, 2003, an employee, a supervisor of the company for 10 years, was cutting sheet polypropylene plastic using a Rockwell Mod. RT-40 table saw, Serial Number 772, with a 12-in. blade. The saw, purchased used, was estimated to be 40 years old. The saw table was 32-in. high and the saw track began 19-in. back from the table front. The guard, purchased with the saw, moved with the blade when the arbor was tilted to the side, exposing the lower part of the high side of the blade. The employee was splitting a 40-in. long by 3-in wide by 0.5-in. thick piece of plastic on a 30 degree angle. The blade was tilted 30 degrees to the right, with about 0.25 of the blade exposed on the lower left. The employee was using a 14in. push stick with his right hand and steadying the piece with his left hand. Three inches from the end of the cut, the employee's left hand contacted the blade. A coworker, a subordinate of the employee, was working nearby and heard the injury. The coworker rendered first aid and alerted the plant manager, who called paramedics. The employee sustained a left middle finger tip amputation through the nail ahead of the first digit, nerve and tendon damage, and severe laceration of the other fingers and thumb of the left hand. The employee was hospitalized and treated for his injuries.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, TABLE SAW