Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314862590 - D W Properties

Inspection Information - Office: Los Angeles District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 11:12 a.m. on June 14, 2012, Employee #1 an 11 year veteran working as a handyman was performing duties, including using power tools. Employee #1 was performing a regularly assigned task of using a power saw cut a piece of wood to produce a new hand rail. The injured employee removed a section of wooden hand rail from the stairs on the north side of an apartment building. Employee #1 cut a section of new 2 by 6 lumber to the proper dimensions. He cut two notches into the 2 by 6, and was preparing to cut the third notch. The employee positioned the 2 by 6 on the ground, and then placed a 2 by 4 under the piece of the 2 by 6 to be cut. The employee held the 2 by 6 down with his knee and left hand and placed circular saw on the face of the 2 by 6, in front of his left hand. The employee loosened the base of the circular saw, started the saw and began to make a plunge cut into the 2 by 6. As the blade started into the 2 by 6 the saw quickly jumped backwards onto the injured employee's left thumb. The employee's thumb was severely lacerated. The injured employee was transported to, UCLA Medical Center. She was admitted that day. Employee's #1 thumb could not be reattached and had to be surgically amputated at the first knuckle.

Keywords: KNEE, AMPUTATED, THUMB, SAW, LACERATION, LUMBER, HAND