Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313380859 - Preferred Personnel Of California Inc Dba Future S

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

"At approximately 6:30 a.m. on March 23, 2010, Employee #1, a welder, was working alone in the welding area operating a Brobo Super 300 metal cut-off saw. The saw was equipped with two 120 psi pneumatic piston clamps used to hold the work piece to be cut in place. These clamps automatically initiated upon pulling the saw handle downward. While attempting to cut a 3 foot by 3.5 inch by .25-inch flat copper bar, Employee #1 leaned toward the saw to get a better view of the cut line on the work piece. Upon doing so, Employee #1 placed his right hand on the cutting table with his right thumb unknowingly positioned in between the right pneumatic piston clamp and the copper work piece. Employee #1 then pulled down on the saw handle to cut the piece when the piston clamps activated pinching his right thumb in between the right piston clamp and the work piece. Employee #1 thumb was amputated. Employee #1 primary employer, Preferred Personnel of California Inc dba Future Staffing, reported the accident on March 23. Employee #1 had been working for Coy Industries Inc dba ERC Company through Future Staffing for about two months. ERC was a private, incorporated company that fabricates metal components for electronic housings and on site operations included welding, grinding, cutting, painting and press brake operations. It was determined that the accident was caused by the pneumatic piston clamps of the saw which created a hazardous squeezing action not being properly guarded to prevent an operator hand from becoming caught between the clamp and the work piece."

Keywords: AMPUTATED, PISTON, WELDER, THUMB, SAW, CAUGHT BETWEEN