Abstract: At approximately 10:15 a.m., on November 15, 2000, Employee #1, a 21-year-old laborer (forge shop hammer operator) was working as a hammer operator. He had initiated the stroke of an open frame drop hammer and as the hammer struck, a 4.5 pound metal punch dislodged itself from the hot forged ring being processed and struck him in the throat area. As a result of the impact, the hammer operator was knocked down and sustained a serious head injury when the nape of his hard hat compressed against the back of his head, resulting in intercerebral bleeding. He was treated and hospitalized for 29 days.