Multiple types of overexertions, bodily motion and position · Disc disorders, herniated disc
At a glance
Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at The Hershey Company, 2400 W Pasewalk Ave, NORFOLK, NEBRASKA 68701
on — Disc disorders, herniated disc, affecting the Back lumbar region.
Final narrative
An employee was performing retails tasks including bending over and lifting 35-pound cases of product. After lifting about 25 boxes he felt back pain, resulting in severe nerve root compression at the base of the spinal cord due to a disc herniation. He required hospitalization and surgery.
Hospitalized Back lumbar region Boxes, crates, cartons
An employee was driving a utility cart into a garage area. The vehicle struck the bottom of the garage door as it was opening and the employee sustained fractured ribs.
On June 2, 2025, at approximately 8:45 PM, an employee was taking apart the trayoff belt on a conveyor. While working to remove the roller, the employee's left ring finger was crushed between the roller and the frame of the equipment. The employee sustained a partial fingertip amputation.
An employee used a small air wand to clean an electrical panel with compressed air. The disconnect was off prior to conducting the task. However, the panel feeds were live. An arc flash occurred and the employee sustained first and second-degree burns to their head, neck, chest, and right arm. Arc-rated personal protective equipment was not used.
An employee was cleaning a candy packaging area and went to put the broom back in the storage room. The employee was then struck by a rack that was being moved by a walkie pallet jack, causing her to become caught between the rack and the unloader. The employee sustained two rib fractures.
On August 18, 2025, an employee was lifting a box weighing approximately 30 pounds to prepare it for shipping. He turned to place the box on a bench behind him and felt a pop in his back that caused immediate pain. The employee was hospitalized for herniated discs and required surgery.
After completing a fitness test, an employee experienced lower leg pain and an inability to walk. The employee was hospitalized for compartment syndrome in both legs.
An employee had bent down to pick up two 80-ounce pans of cheesecake. When the employee stood up, they felt a pop in their back, and they were hospitalized with a back injury.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 311330)
An employee was driving a utility cart into a garage area. The vehicle struck the bottom of the garage door as it was opening and the employee sustained fractured ribs.
An employee was cleaning the kitchen at the end of a work shift. As the employee and a co-worker lifted a kettle containing hot water from a hot stove to empty the water, the injured employee slipped and fell. The kettle was dropped, causing water to splash onto their hands and legs. The employee sustained third-degree burns to their hands and quadriceps.
An employee was working on a machine that grinds toffee into small pieces. The employee's hand became caught between two wheels that grind and was pulled in. The employee's hand was crushed and required surgical amputation to finger(s).
An employee was operating an enrober and diagnosing a problem with chocolate flow on the bottomer. While checking for a blockage on the infeed of the decorator chocolate well, his right index finger was pulled into the rollers and amputated at the first knuckle.
An employee was cleaning a hopper when the rotary gate in the depositor moved, causing the employee's fingertip to become caught in the machine. The employee sustained an amputation to a fingertip on their left hand.
An employee was stacking concrete blocks for a concrete bunker. As a block was swinging into place, the employee's left leg was pinched between two blocks, resulting in injuries to his left heel and lower leg.
An employee was climbing a ladder to inspect a vent in a restaurant dining area. The ladder slid out on the floor and the employee fell approximately 12 feet onto the ladder and the floor. He was hospitalized with a dislocated shoulder and a back injury.
An employee was filtering a fryer with a fryer filter machine. After going around the corner and then returning to the fryers, the employee stepped into the filter machine. The hot oil burned the employee's right ankle, and the employee was hospitalized.
An employee was cleaning out corn from a grain bin. The sweep auger in the bin was activated and caught his trouser leg. His leg was pulled into the auger, which injured his calf and caused leg fractures and lacerations.