Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at HarbisonWalker International, Inc., 1805 W Blvd. St., MEXICO, MISSOURI 65265
on — Amputations, affecting the finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c..
Final narrative
Two employees were changing the cups in a pump. The pump was started up to put the machine in reverse, which would get the cylinder cup out to the end of the material cylinder so the cup could be removed. The swing tube switched, and an employee's right thumb and index finger were caught in it. The employee suffered amputations to the thumb and finger.
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 327124)
An employee was working as part of the press crew and was assigned to unload the finished part from the bottom die once the cycle was complete. The employee reached above the light curtain to remove a piece of clay material stuck to the top die when their fingers were caught between the press die. The employee was hospitalized and underwent surgical amputation of their fingers.
Two employees were carrying a piece of equipment to throw into a scrap hopper. One employee slipped and fell backward and the back of his head struck the ground.
An employee was loading brick into a brick crushing machine. The machine rollers caught the employee's left hand and pulled in his left arm. The arm was amputated. A safety limit switch on the machine was not in operation at the time of the incident.
Two employees were in a scissor lift removing a plumbing piece from the side of a building. The lift moved unexpectedly in reverse instead of down and the injured employee struck his head on a structural beam on the side of the building. He bounced back and struck his head on the rail of the scissor lift. The injured employee was hospitalized for head and face injuries.
On January 6, 2020, an employee was adjusting the weights on a mechanical press when the employee's left thumb was pinched between the wheel for the weights and the table on the press. The employee suffered a traumatic amputation of the left thumb and was hospitalized.
An employee was readjusting a safety hook to remove hardware from gang forms when his feet slipped. He fell to the ground, resulting in a broken left arm and wrist.
An employee was on a step ladder in a store aisle, making room on shelving for merchandise. She fell from the step ladder to the floor, suffering two fractures in her left leg. She was hospitalized, requiring surgery.
An employee was closing the side cargo door to a company van. The tip of his finger got caught between the door and the door jamb, resulting in a partial amputation.
An employee lost his footing while climbing an inclined ladder. He stumbled down one step and was able to stabilize himself by holding the railing and twisting his body, but he suffered an internal abdominal injury and was hospitalized.