Inspection Detail

Inspection: 313169419 - Nursery Supplies Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Santa Ana District Office

Investigation Summary

On February 2, 2011, an employee was working as a maintenance technician for a manufacturer of plastic pots used by plant nurseries. His job was to maintain all manner of manufacturing equipment. He was a full-time, noncontract employee. He was working on a Lyle Model 152 FMD 60 Thermoformer, with Serial Number 104173102/063427. This machine heated sheets of plastic to a temperature at which they were pliable and could be formed into shapes in molds. The machine's upper platen was not closing, and it was determined that there was a problem in the gearbox. The employee was using an extension pipe to turn the gears, when a cam rotated off center and turned by gravitational force, striking the employee and pinning him against a frame on the machine. He sustained three fractured ribs on his left side. He was treated at a hospital, staying there approximately 30 hours.

Keywords: FRACTURE, MAINTENANCE, ROTATING PARTS, MOLDING MACHINE, JAMMED, PLASTIC MFG, RIB, STRUCK BY, FALLING OBJECT, GEAR