Federal OSHA recorded a severe workplace injury
at INDUSTRIAL WELDING AND SUPPLY CO., 140 CUCAROLA RD., STERLING, COLORADO 80751
on — Amputations, avulsions, enucleations unspecified, affecting the Finger or thumb tip(s), nail(s).
Final narrative
An employee was using a band saw to cut 3-inch square tubing. He reached for steel tape that was left on the tubing and the blade lacerated his middle finger. The employee sustained an amputation of the right middle fingertip.
Amputation Finger or thumb tip(s), nail(s) Stationary saws band
More severe injuries at INDUSTRIAL WELDING AND SUPPLY CO.
An employee was connecting a hydraulic arm to a dump truck when the arm slipped and pinched the employee's left index finger as it was in the arm's eyelet, resulting in a fingertip amputation.
After cutting a slab of beef short ribs, an employee turned to grab the pieces he had cut and his right hand contacted the saw blade. The employee sustained an amputation to his right index finger.
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.
More severe injuries in this industry (NAICS 332710)
An employee was positioning dunnage on a trailer while pipe was unloaded from a forklift. A pipe fell and the employee's right thumb and index finger were caught between the pipe and a piece of dunnage. The thumb was crushed, and the index fingertip was amputated.
An employee was using a lifting sling on a crane to move a straight-bar bundle and place it on top of an existing bundle. When moving the lifting sling, it became pinched between the bundle and a wood cleat. The bundle then fell onto the employee's left foot, resulting in crush injuries.
An employee was stacking metal tubes using a forklift. A stack became unstable and the employee got out of the forklift to steady it, instructing his helper to get into the forklift. The forklift movement caused some tubes to fall and strike the employee, resulting in an open fracture of his left hand.
An employee was setting up a flexible gear coupling hub in a lathe, preparing to bore it out to fit a shaft. The hub assembly was not secured in the chuck when the crane support was removed, and the employee's right little finger was caught between the hub assembly and the inside of the lathe. The fingertip was amputated.
An employee was using a crowbar to loosen a flat bar when the crowbar struck the employee's right eye. The employee was hospitalized and required surgery.
An employee was delivering materials. He was doing his pre-delivery inspection on the roof of the jobsite (a warehouse) when he fell through a plexiglass skylight. He landed on his feet on the concrete floor 14 feet below. The employee sustained fractures to his spine, left ulnar/radius, and right heel. The employee required surgery.
An employee was removing packaging from a roll of printing substrate. The blade of their utility knife got stuck. The employee used both hands to free the knife and the blade partially amputated their left little fingertip.
A concrete batch plant operator was assisting with clearing spoil piles using a skid steer. The skid steer backed into a stationary screen plant. The employee's left little finger was crushed between the controls of the skid steer and the screen plant, resulting in a fracture and laceration. The employee's finger was surgically amputated.
An employee was standing on an extension ladder, using a torquing tool to remove bolts that secured blades to a rotor. When the torquing tool activated, its reaction arm came around and pinched the employee's right middle finger against a lifting eye. His fingertip was amputated.