Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Gerdau Macsteel, 5225 Planters Rd, FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS 72916
on — Amputations, affecting the finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c..
Final narrative
An employee was operating a lathe to test a 1" diameter, 6" long metal part. The part had a burr and the burr caught the employee's glove pulling his fingers into the lathe. The skin on his left index and middle fingers was degloved to the middle knuckle resulting in surgical amputation at the middle knuckle.
An employee was inspecting a bundle of steel when the overhead crane that carried the steel bundle actuated and pinched the employee between the steel bundle and a steel bundle carrier. He suffered pelvic fractures and crushing injuries to his left hand.
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 331221)
An employee was using a tool to remove a rag from a roll on the tube mill. The roll pulled the tool and the employee's right hand into the roll, resulting in a partial amputation of the little finger and a fracture to the index finger.
An employee was removing a roll (tooling) from a machine when their left little finger was pinched between the roll and the machine, resulting in a partial amputation.
An employee was rolling a piece of steel in the belt of a shape roller machine when his finger was pinched between two pieces of steel. His right ring and middle fingers were amputated.
An employee was cutting a length of steel coil when he noticed the steel might have cross-break defects. He used his gloved hand to feel for and clean the defected spots when his glove got caught in the measuring wheel, which rolls along the top of the steel to ensure accurate cuts. The employee's arm was pulled down into the machine until his body was stopped by a support bar that goes across the machine. The employee's arm was fractured at the elbow and required hospitalization.
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.