Accident Report Detail
Accident Summary Nr: 202458741 - Employee Amputates Thumb and Finger on Cutting Machine
Inspection Nr | Date Opened | SIC | NAICS | Establishment Name |
---|---|---|---|---|
316980770 | 12/11/2013 | 0723 | 115114 | Grimmway Enterprises, Inc. |
Abstract: At approximately 5:00 p.m. on November 12, 2013, Employee #1, a mechanic with Grimmway Enterprises, Inc., was repairing the bean cutter machine (Urschel: Model Number: 30) in the maintenance shop located in building I-1. Employee #1 and his immediate supervisor installed a drive motor on the bean cutter, which replaced the hydraulic system previously on the machine. A coworker installed an electrical cable and plug on the same piece of machinery's drive motor. The coworker then connected the machine to a portable test station. The coworker attempted to turn the machine on, using the on/off switch on the test station. The coworker determined the switch was not functioning. The coworker opened the panel door to the test station and performed a manual start of the station to power the machine. Employee #1 and the supervisor then visually verified that the unit was turning in the proper direction. The coworker then manually turned the unit off. Employee #1 then positioned himself in front of the machine to install a new blade (Number: ten). The coworker then opened the panel and began to trouble shoot the test station. The test station turned on and activated the cutting machine. Employee #1 was unscrewing a screw under the inside bottom of the outer bowl of the machine, as it was activated. The outer bowl and inter bowl created a pinch point, where Employee #1 had placed his left hand. Two of Employee #1's fingers were pinched and then amputated, at the distal phalanx of the thumb and at the middle phalanx of the left index finger. Employee #1 was hospitalized. The investigation concluded that the accident was caused as a result of failure to take positive means, such as disconnecting the machine from its source of power, or other action which would have effectively prevented the machine from inadvertent movement.
Employee # | Inspection Nr | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 316980770 | Hospitalized injury | Amputation | Specified mechanics and repairers |