Inspection Detail

Inspection: 119728665 - Eel River Sawmills, Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: American Canyon District Office

Investigation Summary

The employer runs a sawmill. Employee #1 is a grader and selects certain pieces of the 1 inch by 6 inch lumber being run to be pulled off the conveyor by a sweed. The sweed consists of two pineapple rolls, the upper of which drops down to contact the wood when activated by an electric eye. A piece of stock got too close to the sweed and, while pushing the stock into the sweed, Employee #1's arm was pulled into the rolls, breaking the forearm and causing bruises and abrasions. The sweed was guarded as required. (Inspector's note: But I felt the sweed needed either a barrier or a warning to keep the operator from getting close. There is no requirement for this, but the employer agreed to do it.)

Keywords: FRACTURE, GRADER, WARNING LINE, FOREARM, CAUGHT BY, ROLLER--MACH/PART, LUMBER, ABRASION, ARM, CONTUSION