Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning · Avulsions, enucleations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Western Sugar Cooperative, 18317 HWY 144, FORT MORGAN, COLORADO 80701
on — Avulsions, enucleations, affecting the finger(s), fingernail(s), unspecified.
Final narrative
Two employees installed a new mud press belt. The employees were in the process of installing the mud wash box. In the process of removing the bolts from the bearing pillow block on the redirect roller, the remaining tension on the new belt and residual in air bag belt tensioning system pulled and twisted the redirect roller forward into the water flush line union. The force and motion of the redirect roller bearing pillow block pushed the employee's hand between the adjustable wrench (crescent wrench) and the water flush line union. The employee immediately removed his hand from the leather glove and noticed the pinky finger was smashed and suffered a partial skin amputation.
HospitalizedFinger(s), fingernail(s), unspecifiedFood and beverage processing machinery-specialized, n.e.c.
An employee was helping change out socks on hard thin juice filters, part of a beet sugar manufacturing operation. While the filter lid was being removed, juice started leaking down the side of the filter. This suggested that the juice was bypassing the seat on the main shutoff valve. While the main shutoff was being checked, the valve was opened and sprayed hot juice on the employee. The employee suffered burns to the left arm, the left ribcage area, the left side of the back, and the left side of the face. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was taking a sugar sample to the lab. As he was walking down the stairs, he slipped on the second to last stair and fell backward. The employee's ankle was wedged into the stairs, resulting in a fracture of the left distal fibula at the lateral malleolus.
An employee was changing safety filters when a filter that was under pressure sprayed hot juice onto the employee, resulting in burns to the neck and back.
Two maintenance employees were inspecting the Omega coupling on the high melter pump. During inspection, the employees realized the shaft on the pump was broken rather than the coupling. The maintenance supervisor was going to locate a rebuilt seal assembly for the pump. The employees started removing the seal assembly from the pump. As one of the employees removed the base plate bolts from the pump, the head pressure from the high melter tank pushed the seal assembly out of the pump casing and hot sugar juice sprayed onto the employees causing first and second degree burns to the upper and lower arm, hand and chest areas.
An employee was performing a parts replacement on equipment when a stainless steel mesh part struck his hand, causing a laceration through his leather work glove. He was hospitalized, requiring stitches and surgery.
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 311313)
An employee was helping change out socks on hard thin juice filters, part of a beet sugar manufacturing operation. While the filter lid was being removed, juice started leaking down the side of the filter. This suggested that the juice was bypassing the seat on the main shutoff valve. While the main shutoff was being checked, the valve was opened and sprayed hot juice on the employee. The employee suffered burns to the left arm, the left ribcage area, the left side of the back, and the left side of the face. The employee was hospitalized.
An employee was removing a beet elevating belt while mechanics were cutting a hole in the center of the belt to install the pulley point using an oscillating tool with a hook blade. The tool popped out of the belt and the tool struck the injured employee in the stomach, resulting in a laceration on the lower left abdomen.
An employee was troubleshooting the precoat/overflow tank when scalding liquid (juice) began to leak out of the tank and contacted the employee. The employee was hospitalized for burns.
An employee was clearing a jam in the bag sealer machine in the warehouse when his right thumb was caught in the belt and pulley, resulting in amputation of the thumb tip.
An employee was delivering materials. He was doing his pre-delivery inspection on the roof of the jobsite (a warehouse) when he fell through a plexiglass skylight. He landed on his feet on the concrete floor 14 feet below. The employee sustained fractures to his spine, left ulnar/radius, and right heel. The employee required surgery.
An employee was removing packaging from a roll of printing substrate. The blade of their utility knife got stuck. The employee used both hands to free the knife and the blade partially amputated their left little fingertip.
A concrete batch plant operator was assisting with clearing spoil piles using a skid steer. The skid steer backed into a stationary screen plant. The employee's left little finger was crushed between the controls of the skid steer and the screen plant, resulting in a fracture and laceration. The employee's finger was surgically amputated.
An employee was standing on an extension ladder, using a torquing tool to remove bolts that secured blades to a rotor. When the torquing tool activated, its reaction arm came around and pinched the employee's right middle finger against a lifting eye. His fingertip was amputated.