Quality Fabrication: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Mar 23, 2010: Employee amputates fingers while using press brake

On March 23, 2010, Employee #1 was operating the "Di-Acro" 55-ton press brake to perform bending operations of an unspecified number of 1.375 inches wide by 2.1 86 inches long by 0.062 inches thick aluminum pieces. Employee #1 was holding a piece with both hands and placed it into the press brake between the dies. He th en pressed down on the foot pedal and the ram came down to form the piece. Emplo yee #1's hands were caught in the point of operation when he activated the press with the foot pedal, while still holding the part in his hands. This resulted i n the crushing of both index fingers with amputation midway below the first join t. Employee #1 was taken to the Valley Urgent Care Clinic in Northridge, CA., by his supervisor. Upon arrival at the clinic, someone looked at Employee #1's han ds and told them to go immediately to Northridge Hospital. Upon arrival at North ridge, Employee #1 was immediately taken into the emergency room, where he was t reated. Employee #1 was hospitalized for four days and had surgery to both index fingers, and treatment for the laceration on his forehead.