Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314331240 - C & H Sugar Company, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: American Canyon District Office

Investigation Summary

On May 30, 2012, an employee was working as a machine operator for the C & H Sugar Company, Inc. At the time of the incident, the employee was in cleaning out a system of passageways that conveyed dry sugar. One step of cleaning out the system was the opening of a plug on a drain pipe. Opening the plug allowed sugar to pour out of the screw conveyor conduit. When that had been done, then the system could be flushed with warm water. In order for the sugar to pour out of the drain pipe, it was necessary that the conveyor be left running. To prevent sugar from pouring directly onto the floor underneath the drain, a large plastic tube-shaped bag was attached to the outside of the drain pipe. The employee climbed a stepladder to gain access to the plug, opened the plug, and began to clean the area where the plastic bag was attached. At that time, the ladder shook, and the employee grabbed the drain pipe to keep from falling. As the employee grabbed the drain pipe, the index and ring fingers on his left hand came into contact with the moving screw conveyor. The tips of those two fingers were amputated. The employee was transported to the John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, CA. The Division learned of the injury from the employer, who filed an immediate report with the Concord District office.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, SCREW CONVEYOR, FINGER, STEPLADDER, CLEANING, STRUCK AGAINST, FALL, MECH MAT HANDLING, LOST BALANCE, UNSTABLE POSITION