Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at RFI LLC, 2145 Alter St., BROOMFIELD, COLORADO 80020
on — Amputations, affecting the finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c..
Final narrative
An employee was applying stickers to boxes. He went to remove something that was stuck in the rotary valve when the valve became energized and caused the amputation of the left index finger at the second knuckle.
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 311942)
An employee was transferring scrap metal from a tote into a metal recycling dumpster for disposal. While throwing a 20-pound stainless steel motor into the dumpster, the employee moved in closer to ensure it went inside. As they tossed the motor, it appeared to be off-target, so they went to push and redirect it while it was in the air. During this action, their right ring and little fingers were caught between the falling motor and the edge of the dumpster. The employee suffered a crush injury to the ring finger and an amputation of the little finger above the top knuckle.
An employee was cleaning a piece of machinery when the tool they were using became lodged in the running machine. The force of the tool becoming lodged fractured their left forearm.
An employee was driving a stand-up forklift into a truck trailer at a loading dock. The dock plate and the truck separated, and the forklift fell to the ground. The employee's left foot was caught and broken between the dock plate and the forklift; the employee was hospitalized, requiring surgery.
An employee was sweeping the platform area around a dumpster and began walking down stairs when he fell to the last step, resulting in a right shoulder injury. The employee was hospitalized.
On January 29, 2025, an employee was working to remove a piece of debris on a bag sealing machine. The employee's finger was pulled through a pulley by a moving belt behind the guard, resulting in a fingertip amputation.
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.