Inspection Detail

Inspection: 310493838 - Camino Real Foods Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Long Beach District Office

Investigation Summary

On December 28, 2008, a worker was employed by Camino Real Foods Inc., a company involved in manufacturing ingredients (e.g., starter mixes and premixes) primarily for the food industry. The worker was assigned to work at a Peerless dough mixer and to transport dough from the dough mixer to production lines No. 1 and No. 2. However, before the mixing bowl moved down in order for the worker to remove the dough and to transport it out of the area, it was necessary for the worker to visually and manually check for dough consistency and texture. The worker proceeded towards the back of the dough mixer, where he could check on the quality of the dough. The worker placed his left hand inside the filter opening and suddenly heard someone tell the machine operator to bring the bowl down. Unfortunately, it was too late for the worker to remove his hand from inside the bowl. When the bowl moved downward, the machine action pulled his arm into the machine. The worker sustained left extremity lacerations and fractures, to his hand and forearm. His medial nerve was also injured. The injured employee was transported to LA County USC Medical Center via ambulance for surgery and hospitalization. The employer was unable to submit training documents indicating that the injured employee had been trained in general safety on the Peerless mixer.

Keywords: FRACTURE, MACHINE OPERATOR, MIXER, CAUGHT BY, LACERATION, ARM, UNTRAINED, HAND