Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314331893 - Safeway Inc.

Inspection Information - Office: American Canyon District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 2:45 p.m., on August 4, 2012, Employee #1, a meat cutter of Safeway Inc., suffered an amputation to his left thumb tip while cutting meat with a meat cutting band saw. Employee #1 was tasked with cutting bone in rib steak with a Hobart meat cutting band saw: Model #5801 and Serial #27-147-916. The bone-in rib steak was being cut to shorter lengths for packaging. Employee #1 had made several successful cuts and was attempting another cut when his left thumb was positioned too close to the saw blade and the tip was severed just above the joint. Employee #2, another meat cutter, was wrapping meat behind Employee #1, and as he turned to put a package on a rack behind Employee #1, he noticed Employee #1 pull away from the saw. Employee #2 asked Employee #1 if he was ok; Employee #1 was holding his hand and said that he had cut himself pretty bad. The Meat Department Manager was immediately notified and Emergency services were called; Employee #1 was transported to John Muir Hospital in Concord for further treatment.

Keywords: AMPUTATED, FINGER, MEAT SLICING MACHINE, SAW