Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Exide Technologies, Inc., 4115 S Zero St, FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS 72908
on — Amputations, affecting the fingertip(s).
Final narrative
An employee was attempting to straighten a jar on a sealer machine's assembly line. At the same time, another employee pushed on the opposite side of the jar, causing it to cross the machine's eye. The machine then cycled, and the sealer came down on and amputated the first employee's left index fingertip.
An employee was troubleshooting a drying problem on a pellet dryer. The employee removed the airlock hose on the bottom of the dryer and used his right pinky finger to sweep away a piece of debris. The airlock rotated and caught his leather glove. When he pulled his hand out, his right pinky fingertip was amputated.
An employee was operating a pasting machine when he began feeling ill. He went to the break room and experience a rapid heart beat. He was hospitalized overnight for heat exhaustion.
An employee was sharpening peeler blades when their shirt was caught in the grinding wheel. The employee sustained tendon damage and a crushed right hand.
An employee was preparing to cut lumber on a panel saw when the clamp engaged and caught the employee's left middle finger, resulting in a fingertip amputation.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 335911)
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Four employees were moving a 400-pound flange to the ground when part of the load was released and the injured employee's hand became caught between the flange and the ground. The employee sustained a left middle fingertip amputation.
An employee was recycling material by adding it to a molten lead pot. The employee came in contact with the molten lead and suffered burns to the lower back and shoulder.
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.