Inspection Detail

Inspection: 126174325 - Parsec

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

On February 13, 1999, a hand-crushing accident occurred at Parsec, Inc., Los Angeles, CA. Employee #1, a grounds man, stated that at the beginning of the work day a meeting was conducted with him, the crane operator, and the supervisor. Employee #1 was informed about his duties at the meeting. On day of accident Employee #1 was in the process of lowering a hitch weighing approximately 80 to 100 lbs on a trailer when the hitch got caught on the trailer. Employee #1 attempted to lift the hitch using his hand, instead of utilizing the screw gun supplied for this process. His fingers were caught between the top of the flat bed trailer and the bottom of the hitch that was released and fell to trailer bed. Employee #1 sustained a partial amputation of the middle and ring fingers of the right hand. He was hospitalized. Employer supplied training records and supervision records, IIPP, Code of Safe Practices for the hitching operations, and Employee #1's training records. Through interviews with employees and the union representative it was noted that this type of accident had not occurred in the past and no complaints regarding this method of hitch rising was brought to the attention to the union or employer.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, WORK RULES, TRAILER, FALLING OBJECT, CRANE