OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #1002575
HIGHWAY DEPT. TOWN OF CHENANGO
CASTLE CREEK, NY·
Event description
Employee lacerated by powered grass cutter
Investigation abstract
At approximately 8:00 a.m. on February 16, 1989, Employee #1 was using an unguar ded powered tri-blade grass cutter to trim brush. The cutter had an extended han dle and was attached to the employee by a harness across his shoulders and chest . The motor was at his side and the throttle control was located in the handle g rips. Employee #1 slipped on a patch of ice and fell forward. As he fell the cut ter handle swung around and the blade sliced him just above his left ankle. He r eceived several lacerations that required approximately 200 stitches to close. T he employer contends that Employee #1 was using a brush cutter with a guarded ci rcular saw-type blade.
Victim
-
#1 Non-hospitalized injury Age 29 M
- Nature of injury
- Cut/Laceration (7)
- Part of body
- LOWER LEG (18)
- Accident type
- STRUCK BY (1)
- Source of injury
- HAND TOOL (POWERED) (21)
- Occupation
- Laborers, except construction (889)
- Human factor
- INSUF/LACK/PROTCV WRK CLTHG/EQUIP (20)
- Environmental factor
- WEATHER, EARTHQUAKE, ETC. (17)
- Task assigned
- Task regularly assigned (1)
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