Baker Commodities Inc: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Jul 18, 2005: Employee struck in the arm by flying object

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on July 18, 2005, Employee #1 was working at a wastew ater treatment plant. He was driving a forklift, returning an empty flip bin to the sludge receiving station after the bin was emptied. He parked the flip bin a t the sludge receiving station and released the hook to separate the flip bin fr om the forklift. A welded portion on the hook releasing-handle broke. Part of th e steel handle snapped back with the bungee cord and struck him in his right arm . Periodic checks on the welded portion of the flip bin hook releasing-handle we re not performed. Employee #1 was treated and released for lacerations on his ar m.

Incident on May 21, 2003: Employee injured while operating a pneumatic gun

At approximately 10:45 a.m. on May 21, 2003, Employee #1 and a coworker were wor king in a recycling plant for fat, bones, grease, and meat from butcher shops an d stores. Employee #1 was using a swivel and socket with a high power pneumatic gun, an Ingersoll Rand, Model Number 2181A, to remove a bolt that was positioned in a tight area of a darner screw conveyor system. His coworker was positioned on his right side, at the opposing end, using a wrench to hold down the bolt to be removed. For some reason, as the pneumatic gun was activated, the socket inad vertently slipped and struck Employee #1 in his right eye and nose. Employee #1 was hospitalized at the U.S. Health Works and White Memorial Hospital and treate d for injuries sustained, which included a laceration to his nose and a contusio n and abrasion on his right eye. A detailed investigation revealed that revealed that Employee #1 was not wearing suitable eye and/or face protection to safegua rd him from flying objects.

Incident on Apr 19, 2001 (fatal): Employee killed when struck by a quick coupler cap

At 4:45 p.m. on April 19, 2001, Employee #1 of Baker Commodities was attempting to remove a quick coupler cap from a 3-inch pump line that was under pressure. T he cap blew off and struck Employee #1's forehead. Employee #1 was found unconsc ious, lying on the ground. Employee #1 was transported by ambulance to Valley Me dical Center in Fresno, California, where he was admitted for treatment. Employe e #1 died on May 7, 2001.

Incident on Jul 17, 1997: Employee fractures leg in fall from tank truck

Employee #1 was atop his vehicle's truck tank, having just rinsed it out after u nloading it at a job site. He was moving to turn off the water when he started t o slip; he had barely regained his balance when his other foot slipped. Employee #1 tried unsuccessfully to grab the tank ladder as he fell 11 ft 2 in. to the g round. He suffered a fractured ankle and tibia.

Incident on May 22, 1992: Employee burned by hot water from hose

On May 22, 1992, Employee #1, a truck driver, was hosing down the trailer bed of his truck with a pressurized hose. The water was 100 to 180 degrees F. Due to t he slippery surfaces in the rendering plant, the hose slipped out of the employe e's hand. Employee #1 sustained 2nd-degree burns over his chest, stomach, and gr oin. He was taken to the hospital, treated, and released. The hose did not have an automatic shut-off nozzle (i.e. deadman control).

Incident on Jan 21, 1992: Employee injured in fall from platform

Employee #1, of Baker Commodities, was in the tallow department working from an elevated platform that was 6 ft, 11 1/2 in. from grade. He was pouring bleach cl ay powder into the tallow processing tank to whiten the tallow when he slipped a nd fell to the concrete floor. Employee #1 suffered a broken left wrist and a fr actured eye socket and was taken to White Memorial Hospital, where he was hospit alized for more than 24 hours. The platform was not equipped with standard guard rails or equivalent fall protection. After the accident, guardrails were immedia tely installed.