Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at West Rock Company, Inc., 600 Riverside Pkwy., LITHIA SPRINGS, GEORGIA 30122
on — Amputations, affecting the fingertip(s).
Final narrative
An employee was troubleshooting a varnish pump. He removed and replaced the pump. The pump was turned on and the pump impeller amputated his right middle fingertip.
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 323119)
An employee climbed on a pallet to retrieve a "load flag." He fell while dismounting the pallet and landed on his right side on the floor. The employee sustained a fractured hip.
Employees were changing out a rubber roller in a laminating machine. The injured employee was supporting one end of the rubber roller while the other end was supported by a forklift. The end held by the employee slipped and fell onto their other hand which was resting on the equipment frame. They sustained an open displaced fracture of the distal phalanx of the right middle finger as well as an amputation of the right middle fingertip.
An employee was packing boxes when a small package conveyor disconnected due to loose bolts and hit her thighs. She suffered temporary paralysis in both legs and a swollen muscle.
An employee was helping to lift the grating from a floor draining system when the grating slipped and landed on his hand, resulting in the amputation of his right middle finger at the first joint.
During a workshop meeting in a hotel, an employee heard a drilling noise, so he walked outside to see what it was. An explosion occurred (possible gas line) and his face, ear, and hair were burned. He also fell and sustained a pelvic fracture.
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.