Inspection Detail

Inspection: 307186080 - Commercial Lumber & Pallet Co

Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office

Investigation Summary

On July 6, 2007, an employee was using a saw called the "semi-automatic, pneumatic cut-off saw, Model SK-18PCS" per the owner's manual. He was performing a routine task, cutting wood, used in pallet fabrication. The employee sustained serious injuries to his right hand when operating a jump saw or underslung saw which he had used for over 20 years. The employee stated that the piece of lumber slipped and his hand went in the point of operation. Once activated, when the foot valve or knee actuator was depressed, the traveling guard or clamp lowers to clamp the work and the blade cycles to cut and then return to its "rest" position below the tabletop. The employee placed his right hand under the traveling guard or clamp when his work piece slipped, and his hand was held there in the point of operation, cutting off three fingertips, the pinky, ring, and middle fingers of his right hand. The employee was not hospitalized.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, CAUGHT BY, SAW, POINT OF OPERATION