Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310493093 - Hammond Power Solutions Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

Employees were working in the finish department of a transformer manufacturer. In this part of the plant, workers place transformers on a large basket-type tray and then into a varnish tank. Once the workers remove the transformers from the varnish tank, a worker lifts the tray with a forklift and transports the transformer into a large walk-in-type oven, which bakes the varnish onto the transformer. The oven was approximately 3 meters from the varnish tank. A worker was operating a forklift to move a tray with a transformer weighing approximately 1,600 kilograms. The transformer, which was not secured, became unbalanced and fell onto an employee guiding the forklift operator. The employee received a puncture wound to the calf area of his right leg. Emergency medical services administered first aid to the injured employee and transported him to a hospital, where he remained hospitalized for approximately 1 week. The injured employee was a helper in the finish department performing his regularly assigned duties. He had been working at the same position for approximately 4 months.

Keywords: UNSECURED, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, FALLING OBJECT, TRANSFORMER, LEG, UNSTABLE LOAD