Struck by running powered equipment during maintenance, cleaning, testing · Amputations involving bone loss
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at Rich Ice Cream Co., 2915 S. DIXIE HWY., WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33405
on — Amputations involving bone loss, affecting the Other finger(s) n.e.c..
Final narrative
An employee was removing a popsicle that was stuck inside the dry coating machine. The impeller blades struck his right hand and he sustained fractures and lacerations to four fingers, crushed bones in the palm of his hand, and a partial amputation of the middle finger above the last knuckle.
HospitalizedAmputation Other finger(s) n.e.c. Food and beverage processing machinery n.e.c.
An employee was changing pipes to run a clean-in-lace (CIP) circuit. When he loosened the clamp on the jumper at the flow panel, the pressure unexpectedly released, spraying hot water mixed with peroxyacetic acid directly in their face. The employee sustained a severe chemical burn to the face, eyes, and arms and was hospitalized.
An employee was clearing out product that had accumulated in an ice cream machine's crunch basin when his right middle finger was caught in the machine. The employee suffered an avulsion and was hospitalized.
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 311520)
An employee was using an end mill to mill out a section of a metal door frame that he was fabricating. Metal shavings built up and he could not see the marking to cut, so he used a small brush to remove the shavings. While brushing off the shavings, his glove became caught in the spinning mill bit and pulled his hand in. The employee's right index finger contacted the spinning bit, resulting in a partial amputation to the side of the finger.
An employee was unjamming cookie dough from a machine when the rotating pump caught her left index and ring fingers, resulting in fingertip amputations.
An employee was marking a malfunctioning mold when their finger got caught between one section of rollers on the mold and the guarding on the next section of rollers. The employee's finger was amputated below the nailbed.
An employee was exiting the rear door of a freezer truck when he slipped/misstepped and fell to the ground. The employee sustained a broken right leg that required surgery.
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.