Inspection Detail

Inspection: 314864166 - Command Packaging Vernon Inc

Inspection Information - Office: Los Angeles District Office

Investigation Summary

At 1:00 a.m. on July 20, 2012, Employee #1 was working for a company that manufactured plastic bags in Vernon, CA. He was operating a converting machine. The narrative stated that the machine, a Hemingstone Model Number HM830 MF, with Serial Number EHAB 140007 and machine number 302 at the facility, was new. It was not clear on whether that meant new to the facility or new to Employee #1. The machine formed sheet plastic into plastic carrying bags. It experienced frequent malfunctions in the area of its in-feed rolls. Employee #1 developed the habit of adjusting the sheet plastic ahead of the in-feeding rollers to produce proper bags. At the time of the incident, Employee #1 was adjusting the sheet plastic, when his right index finger was caught by in-feeding rollers. He had placed his right index finger too close the in-feeding rollers, and it was caught between the rollers. He immediately pulled his index finger from the machine and examined the injury. Employee #1 was transported to an industrial clinic, then to White Memorial Hospital, and ultimately to Western Hand Center. Employee #1 had sustained a crushing injury to the fingertip of the index finger on his right hand. The fingertip had to be surgically amputated to the first joint. Employee #1's immediate supervisor was with Employee #1 at the time of the injury. The guard covering the in-feeding rollers had been replaced prior to the compliance and safety officer's inspection. The employer indicated that the factory guard presented a three-inch (76-millimeter) opening two inches (50 millimeters) in front of the in-feeding rollers. Employee #1 had been making adjustments to the machine without deenergizing the machine or using extension tools. Because Employee #1 was not hospitalized, the employer did not report this injury to the Division. The employer's personnel didn't think they were required to report an injury that did not require hospitalization to the Division. On December 21, 2012, the Division confirmed the extent of the injury during employee interviews related to another injury. The Division was reviewing 300 logs submitted pursuant to a document request for an injury occurring on August 15, 2012, when it found this injury listed in the 300 logs.

Keywords: MAINTENANCE, AMPUTATED, FINGER, WORK RULES, MACHINE OPERATOR, LOCKOUT, ROLLER--MACH/PART, CAUGHT BETWEEN, NIP POINT, MACHINE--MISC