Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309300416 - Lucas & Mercier Construction

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

On August 6, 2007, Employee #1, a journeyman carpenter for a residential contractor, was working alone in a garage, installing vinyl stucco molding around the garage door opening. He was using a Skil Saw, model #HD77 with a 7 in. diameter blade. Employee #1 was holding a section of molding in his left hand in the same fashion used by framers to cut 2-by-4s. He was starting a cut when the saw blade grabbed the vinyl molding and pulled it into the upper housing of the blade. This caused the Skil saw to torque, twisting Employee #1's wrist which struck against the rotating saw blade. Employee #1 suffered a 3 in. long laceration of his upper thumb and wrist. He was transported to Western Medical Center, where he underwent surgery and was hospitalized for four days. The supervisor was at the site, but was not in the garage at the time of the accident. The lower guard of the Skil saw was in place and functioning properly.

Keywords: KICK BACK, CARPENTER, STRUCK AGAINST, CAUGHT BY, CONSTRUCTION, THUMB, CIRCULAR SAW, SAW, LACERATION, WRIST