Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314763442 - Hormel Foods Corp Dba Farmer John Inc

Inspection Information - Office: High Hazard Unit - South

Investigation Summary

On September 5, 2013, Employee #1, a 48-year-old male with Hormel Foods Corp Dba Farmer John Inc., began his shift at approximately 5:30 a.m. and began reassembling (setting up) a Millard Jaw-Snout Pulling Machine by replacing the guide plates that were dislodged by the sanitation crew. The "Jaw-Snout Pulling Machine" was a motorized chain driven device that would separate the lower mandible from the upper skull of a pig carcass. The hazards of the chain drive for this piece of equipment are guarded by a set of doors that were connected to a safety interlock that would prevent movement while the safety doors were open. As Employee #1 was positioning the guide plates, his knee depressed the safety interlock and engaged the chain drive motor. Employee #1's left arm was pulled into the chain, causing injuries and a deep laceration to his upper left arm and shoulder. Employee #1 was admitted to LA County USC Hospital in excess of 24 hours. Employee #1 was trained in Lockout-Tagout and was authorized by his employer to reassemble the machinery; however the machinery was not properly de energized during the set-up operation. Employee #1 was a regular full-time hourly employee with six years of experience with this employer. Hormel Foods Corp. dba Farmer John Inc. was a meat (pork) slaughter/packing facility that provides a variety of pork products to the retail food market under their Farmer John" brand name.

Keywords: CHAIN, FOOD PREPARATION, BELT, LACERATION, ARM