Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313169294 - Trim-Lok Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

On January 26, 2011, Employee #1, a helper, was assisting with operations involved with an automatic machine. The machine would wind a flat plastic product approximately 2 in. wide onto a reel, 18 in. deep, measured at 4 ft in diameter and weighed 550 lb. After 30 minutes, the machine was stopped. Employee #1 was standing around without work to complete. He saw the reel standing vertically and decided to flip it on its side using a frame used for flipping. Employee #1 indicated that he had flipped reels before after being taught by another employee. The frame had 2 pieces of slanted metal for supporting the reel at the bottom and at the top a vertical metal support where a 2 in. metal rod can be inserted to hold the reel in place. Surrounding the reel holder at the back was a frame for holding or moving the frame by hand. The entire unit could be moved using a forklift. While flipping the reel, he placed his finger behind the reel and flipped it. His finger was squeezed between the heavy reel and the vertical support, crushing and amputating his left ring finger-tip under the weight of the reel. Employee #1 was transported to a medical center. At the medical center, he underwent surgical procedures and received treatment involving specialized hand orthopedic care, and he was then released from the hospital.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, CAUGHT BETWEEN, MACHINE--MISC