Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Ajinomoto Windsor, Inc., 10646 Hwy 51, OAKLAND, MISSISSIPPI 38948
on — Amputations, affecting the finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c..
Final narrative
An employee was operating a Solbern conveyor. The products being transported on the conveyor became jammed at the end of the conveyor. The operator attempted to clear the jam by reaching underneath the conveyor and removing the product that was stuck between the conveyor and a tray. The operator's right ring finger was caught in a belt underneath the conveyor and the skin was peeled from the tip of the finger. The finger was amputated just below the finger nail at the hospital.
An employee was disassembling a dull extruder machine when the machine's plate crushed the employee's left ring and middle fingers, fracturing one and crushing the bone in the other. Both fingers had to be surgically amputated above the first knuckle.
An employee was attempting to remove a dough buildup from a line when the line amputated the employee's left ring and middle fingers to the first knuckle.
An employee was driving a forklift into the freezer to retrieve product. As the employee traveled over an uneven portion of the floor, it caused the forklift to swerve. The employee's left elbow was caught between the forklift and a post, breaking bones and dislocating the left elbow.
Two employees were repairing the hydraulic engagement pins on a rented front-end wheel loader. The machine controls were activated to move the attachment pins and an employee's finger was caught between the pins and the bushings. Their right index finger was partially amputated.
An employee was cleaning the conveyor on a piece of equipment when they slipped and their right hand was pulled into the chain sprocket. The employee's fifth fingertip was amputated.
An employee was throwing blankets onto a blanket folding and stacking machine. A blanket got stuck in the machine and she attempted to remove it when the machine contacted her right little finger, resulting in a fingertip amputation.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 311412)
An employee was performing maintenance under a kettle. When he removed a tri-clamp on a transfer line, the hot fat and broth material in the kettle poured out onto his arm. The employee was hospitalized with burns.
An employee was walking on top of boiler to close a valve. The employee fell off the boiler and landed on the floor, sustaining fractured ribs. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was inspecting a pipe in the rice cooking area near an oven. While checking for a clog, the fingers of their right hand were caught in an airlock at the base of the pipe. All the fingers were amputated except the thumb. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was checking a pole-type transformer tank for leaks. A hydraulic clamping device was lowered onto his right thumb and crushed it against the sharp edge of the bottom of the tank. He suffered a partial transphalangeal amputation to the thumb.
The injured employee was standing behind a table. She jumped out to scare another employee, but tripped and fell on the tile floor, injuring her right ankle/foot. She was hospitalized with a dislocated ankle that required surgery.
An employee was going into a trailer to mark product for shipment and the trailer pulled away from the dock. The employee fell out of the trailer, contacted the dock plate, and then fell to the ground. The employee was hospitalized with a punctured lung, fractured ribs, and contusions.
An employee was hooking up bundled tie-downs with a chain. While he was holding a hook, the other hook was unlocked. This caused the employee's hook to slide down and pinch his right index finger between the chain and the shackle. He suffered an amputation to the fingertip (without bone loss), as well as an open fracture.
An employee was operating a gas tugger to lift metal sheeting. His left hand was pulled into the pulley, which crushed his left thumb, resulting in avulsions and other tissue damage. He was hospitalized and required surgery.