Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment · Amputations
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at United Launch Alliance, LLC., 5629 SR 16W, STARKE, FLORIDA 32091
on — Amputations, affecting the fingertip(s).
Final narrative
On November 7, 2022, an employee was bending a piece of a one-inch galvanized steel conduit with his hands, using an X-frame for leverage. The conduit slipped, causing his left ring finger to become caught between the conduit and the X-frame. The employee's left ring fingertip was amputated without bone loss.
AmputationFingertip(s)Metal pipes, tubing
More severe injuries at United Launch Alliance, LLC.
An employee was connecting a pneumatic-charged hose to a piston assembly when the piston started operating. His left-hand little finger was amputated near the first digit and his ring finger was amputated near the second digit. He was hospitalized.
An employee was lowering a large hook onto a halo shackle used to move large manufactured parts. The employee was guiding the hook down with the left hand. As the hook reached the edge of the halo cable tray, the force of the hook landing on the cable tray caused an amputation of the left ring finger to the distal joint (below the nail bed).
An employee was operating a forklift and unloading a truck. After the truck was unloaded, the employee got off the forklift and proceeded to adjust the dock plate with a hook tool. The dock plate slipped and the employee went to adjust the plate with their hand when their left middle finger got caught. Their finger was amputated above the first joint.
An employee was rotating a carbide granulator blade when his finger was caught between the blade and a stationary part of the machine. The employee's right middle finger was partially amputated and they suffered an avulsion to the right ring fingertip.
An employee was using a CNC metal lathe machine in manual mode to check that the thread blocking tool made contact with the jaws. As the employee was manually spinning the spindle, his index fingertip was crushed between the spindle's jaws and the grooving insert, resulting in a fingertip amputation.
During a material handling operation, an employee's fingertip was caught under an air conditioning unit as the unit was lowered onto a cart. The employee's fingertip was amputated.
An employee was removing a bolt from a tractor hub when their right index finger was caught between the hub and the frame. The employee's fingertip was crushed and the employee was hospitalized.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 336411)
A pressurized aircraft nose landing gear strut assembly was being disassembled. The gland nut dislodged under pressure and made contact with an employee's left hand, breaking it.
A metal tooling base was being moved by a forklift when the load shifted. An employee who was assisting went to stabilize the load and prevent it from sliding off the forks. The C-channel of the base crushed the employee's left hand against the concrete ground, resulting in the amputation of their third and fourth fingers.
An employee was working on a tool platform (47.5" tall) and was transitioning around to the other side when they lost balance and fell to the concrete floor. The employee was hospitalized with fractures to seven ribs and their elbow.
On August 19, 2025, at 6:30 a.m., an employee sat in the rear bench seat of a golf cart ahead of being driven to a parking lot. When the golf cart began to move, he fell off the cart and onto the ground, resulting in a fractured right hip.
An employee was helping a coworker transport a tall palm tree with a mini skid steer. The employee was severely shocked by a high-voltage electrical wire above the ground.
An employee was retrieving a Christmas tree from a shelf using a ladder. He missed a step and fell to the concrete floor. He sustained injury to his head and wrist.
An employee was operating an agricultural tractor during sugarcane harvesting. The employee sustained a lumbar sprain due to vibration or motion from the tractor.
An employee was moving a 3-ton condensing unit, strapped down on a dolly, out of a garage. The strap broke, causing the employee to fall backward onto the brick pavered driveway. The employee suffered injury to a spinal ligament in the neck.