Command Packaging Vernon, Inc.: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Jul 20, 2012: Worker amputates fingertip while adjusting running machine

At 1:00 a.m. on July 20, 2012, Employee #1 was working for a company that manufa ctured plastic bags in Vernon, CA. He was operating a converting machine. The na rrative stated that the machine, a Hemingstone Model Number HM830 MF, with Seria l Number EHAB 140007 and machine number 302 at the facility, was new. It was not clear on whether that meant new to the facility or new to Employee #1. The mach ine formed sheet plastic into plastic carrying bags. It experienced frequent mal functions in the area of its in-feed rolls. Employee #1 developed the habit of a djusting the sheet plastic ahead of the in-feeding rollers to produce proper bag s. At the time of the incident, Employee #1 was adjusting the sheet plastic, whe n his right index finger was caught by in-feeding rollers. He had placed his rig ht index finger too close the in-feeding rollers, and it was caught between the rollers. He immediately pulled his index finger from the machine and examined th e injury. Employee #1 was transported to an industrial clinic, then to White Mem orial Hospital, and ultimately to Western Hand Center. Employee #1 had sustained a crushing injury to the fingertip of the index finger on his right hand. The f ingertip had to be surgically amputated to the first joint. Employee #1's immedi ate supervisor was with Employee #1 at the time of the injury. The guard coverin g the in-feeding rollers had been replaced prior to the compliance and safety of ficer's inspection. The employer indicated that the factory guard presented a th ree-inch (76-millimeter) opening two inches (50 millimeters) in front of the in- feeding rollers. Employee #1 had been making adjustments to the machine without deenergizing the machine or using extension tools. Because Employee #1 was not h ospitalized, the employer did not report this injury to the Division. The employ er's personnel didn't think they were required to report an injury that did not require hospitalization to the Division. On December 21, 2012, the Division conf irmed the extent of the injury during employee interviews related to another inj ury. The Division was reviewing 300 logs submitted pursuant to a document reques t for an injury occurring on August 15, 2012, when it found this injury listed i n the 300 logs.

Incident on Aug 15, 2012: Employee catches fingers in rollers and are injured

At approximately 3:15 a.m. on August 15, 2012, Employee #1 was operating a conve rting machine that manufactured plastic disposable tote bags. While the machine was running, he observed that the plastic film was misaligned. He decided to ali gn the plastic film without stopping the machine. He grabbed the moving film wit h his hand and began pulling the film into the proper position. As he tugged the film, his hand became entangled in the film and pulled into the in-turning feed rollers, which trapped and injured his fingers in the rollers. Employee #1 was transported to a medical center, where he underwent surgical procedures and was then hospitalized for postoperative care.