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Inspection Detail
Inspection: 312361405 - Kerry Ingredients And Flavours
Inspection Information - Office: Oakland District Office
Site Address:
Kerry Ingredients And Flavours
33063 Western Ave.
Union City, CA 94587
Mailing Address:
, , 00000
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:2099
NAICS: 311999/All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: Private
Safety/Health: Safety
Close Conference: 09/27/2010
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/31/2012
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 361620289 |
| Violations/Penalties | Serious | Willful | Repeat | Other | Unclass | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Violations | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Current Violations | ||||||
| Initial Penalty | $18,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $18,000 |
| Current Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| FTA Penalty | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| # | Citation ID | Citaton Type | Standard Cited | Issuance Date | Abatement Due Date | Current Penalty | Initial Penalty | FTA Penalty | Contest | Latest Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 01001 | Serious | 4542 A | 10/06/2010 | 10/14/2010 | $0 | $18,000 | $0 | 10/20/2010 | F - Formal Settlement | Citation has been deleted. |
Investigation Summary
On September 13, 2010, Employee #1, a mixing and blending machine operator, stated that he was positioned on an elevated access walkway above three mixing tanks. Employee #1 stated that he was attempting to empty a bag of rework (chocolate chips and chocolate powder) into a mixing tank (identified as Workout Tank #3). The opening was approximately 24 inches in width by 28 inches in length. The hinged cover on the tank opening was approximately 14 inches in width by 29 inches in length. The thickness of the tank wall at the opening was measured to be approximately 10 inches. The gap between the inner surface of the tank and the agitator blade was approximately 0 to 1 inches in width. The speed of the agitator blade was approximately one revolution every 5 seconds. At the time of the accident, the opening to the mixer tank (Workout Tank #3) was not guarded. It was normal practice at the plant to add rework to Workout Tank #3 without turning off the mixing tank. Addition of rework to Tank #3 occurs on average one time per day with the tank in operation. According to statements obtained from the employees and supervisors, there were no immediate witnesses to the incident. Employee #1 had been regularly employed with the plant for 3 years. He had also received lock out, block out training and he was familiar with the hazards associated with the "Workout" tank. This was substantiated by documentation and oral statements obtained from the managers at the plant where the inspection was being conducted. Employee #1 reported that he was aware that turning off the mixer was not required when adding rework to the tank. Employee #1 stated that he opened the hinged access panel to access the tank opening. Employee #1 attempted to pour the bag of rework into the tank. Employee #1 stated that he was leaning over the tank when the agitator blade caught his sleeve and severed his arm two inches below Employee #1's left elbow. The employer did not properly guard the opening to the mixing tank (Workout Tank #3). Had the tank opening been properly guarded to prevent the entry of any body parts, then the accident could have been prevented.
Keywords: AMPUTATED, MACHINE OPERATOR, MIXER, LOCKOUT, ARM, TANK
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 312361405 | Hospitalized injury | Amputation | Mixing and blending machine operators |