Struck by running powered equipment during maintenance, cleaning, testing · Amputations involving bone loss
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Welders Supply Company, 20 Park Ave., BELOIT, WISCONSIN 53511
on — Amputations involving bone loss, affecting the Thumb(s) and finger(s).
Final narrative
An employee was inspecting the rollers and conveyor leading to the blade of a band resaw. The employee's right hand contacted the moving blade, resulting in complete amputation of the fourth and fifth fingers, and partial amputation of the thumb, index, and middle fingers.
HospitalizedAmputation Thumb(s) and finger(s) Stationary saws band
A temporary employee turned off a planer machine, opened the housing, and began clearing a jam. The machine's spinning blade caught his right hand and degloved the index finger.
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.
A production sanitation employee was pre-rinsing an incline conveyor and noticed cheese stuck between the belt idler. The employee went to remove the cheese and their glove got caught and pulled their left forearm into the conveyor. The employee's arm was fractured. The machine was not locked out/tagged out at the time.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 423830)
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A crane had been used to set a steel plate on a steel frame. An employee was trying to remove a clamp from the plate when the plate fell and crushed the tip of his left little finger. The employee sustained a fingertip amputation.
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A technician was operating a crane hoist to lift/remove a cylinder head from the main engine (port). The load was lifted at an angle, causing the cylinder head to get stuck on the cylinder head studs. When it became free from the studs, the cylinder head swung. It struck the technician and caught them against the cabinet door. This resulted in an amputation of their left index fingertip at the distal knuckle.
The injured employee was assisting five other employees with bracing a wall panel that was being stood up. Another employee slipped on frost on the floor surface. The employees went to evacuate the area in anticipation of the wall panel falling over. The injured employee went to jump through a window opening within the wall panel and their lower half was crushed by the falling wall panel. The employee sustained a fractured pelvis.
An employee was using a vertical band saw to cut a thick piece of rubber material. While being cut, the material shifted, causing the employee s right hand to contact the moving blade. The employee's thumb was amputated below the knuckle. The employee was hospitalized, undergoing surgery.
A production sanitation employee was pre-rinsing an incline conveyor and noticed cheese stuck between the belt idler. The employee went to remove the cheese and their glove got caught and pulled their left forearm into the conveyor. The employee's arm was fractured. The machine was not locked out/tagged out at the time.
An employee was on a ladder, taking measurements for a new gutter installation. The ladder slipped out from under him and both he and the ladder fell to the ground. He was hospitalized with seven broken ribs and a broken clavicle.
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