Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Elkhart Products Corporation (EPC), 3265 Hwy 71 S., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72701
on — Amputations, affecting the finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c..
Final narrative
The employee was operating a Hydro T machine that produces copper plumbing fittings. The employee was clearing a jam and amputated the left middle finger and lacerated the left ring finger.
AmputationFinger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c.Metal, woodworking, and special material machinery, n.e.c.
More severe injuries at Elkhart Products Corporation (EPC)
An employee was attempting to remove a copper elbow that was jammed in an elbow machine. When the part was removed, the machine cycled and amputated two of the employee's right-hand fingers. The machine was unguarded at the time.
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 423720)
An employee lost his footing while climbing an inclined ladder. He stumbled down one step and was able to stabilize himself by holding the railing and twisting his body, but he suffered an internal abdominal injury and was hospitalized.
Equipment was being brought back online after a break-in and vandalism. An arc flash occurred when an employee cycled a 480-volt circuit breaker. The employee suffered burns to the face and hands.
An employee was lifting the liftgate on the rear of his delivery truck after making a delivery when his right hand was caught in the liftgate. The employee sustained four fractured fingers.
An employee was operating an ironworker (steel punching/shearing) machine. A piece of the tooling broke off and struck the employee's neck; a fragment was lodged in his neck. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.
On October 25, 2025, an employee was stringing up a new reel of tire tread on a machine. The employee pulled a 6-inch tail and proceeded to spool up the liner. As the machine was jogged to begin the liner wrapping process, the liner caught the employee's glove and pulled their right arm into the liner, causing a fracture to the arm.
An employee was doing a cable change on top of an electric overhead traveling (EOT) crane. They were positioned between the cable drum and the drive shaft. While rotating the cable drum, the employee reached for the new cable that was to be installed. The grease fitting on the drive shaft caught their fall harness and pulled them underneath the drive shaft. The employee was pinned between the drive shaft and two pieces of angle steel, resulting in a fracture to their left hip.
On October 5, 2025, an employee was pulling a pressure washer hose when it it disconnected from the cooker. The employee was struck by jets of high-pressure water, resulting in lacerations to their left thigh requiring surgery. The employee was hospitalized.