Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309302321 - West American Rubber Co Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

On July 7, 2008, Employee #1 worked for a manufacturer of different types of gaskets and other parts for use in equipment assembly. Employee #1 was working at his usual task of operating a rubber mixing machine (the "Banbury"). He was preparing to add measured quantities of ingredients to a mixer when he saw that a light on the control panel indicated that a door in the bottom of the mixing vessel was open. The mixer is designed so that when the rubber mixture is finished cooking, the door is opened and the rubber is dropped into a hopper for a rubber mill underneath the mixer. Employee #1 looked into the mixer from a small access opening midway between the mixer and the mill and noticed a small amount of rubber left over from a prior run, which was causing the door to stick open. Without turning off the mixer, he reached up into the mixer to remove the piece of rubber. The glove on his right hand became caught in the mixer, which pulled in his hand. He was able to pull out his hand, but not before he lost most of the middle three fingers of his left hand. The Employer reported the incident later that day.

Keywords: CLOTHING, AMPUTATED, FINGER, GLOVE, MIXER