Inspection Detail

Inspection: 126193242 - Basic Fibres Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Los Angeles District Office

Investigation Summary

On June 4, 2009, Employer #1 was operating a Tennant Rider Scrubber, cleaning a parking lot. He had parked the scrubber machine, engaged the parking brake and left the engine running, while he proceeded to clean off the exterior of accumulated dirt and grease. The scrubbing brushes, which are under the main chassis, were in the down position and were on the ground. Employee #1 went to the back of the vehicle and observed that a cable in the brush assembly was apparently separated from a pulley. He reached into the brush assembly in an attempt to reattach what appeared to be a loose cable. When the automatic shut-off feature of the vehicle activated, it caused the scrubbing brushes to retract into the stowed position, thus reseating the cable. Employee #1's left index finger was amputated when it became caught between the cable and the pulley. Employee #1 had been trained to operate the vehicle, which included recognizing the controls and instruments and their functions, but was not trained or authorized to perform maintenance or repairs on the vehicle. He was hospitalized for treatment of his amputated finger.

Keywords: MAINTENANCE, AMPUTATED, BELT, FINGER, CLEANING, MACHINE OPERATOR, PULLEY, UNTRAINED, MACHINE--MISC