OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #221395551

W.E.L., INC.

BLUEFIELD, WV· 2021-09-24T00:00:00

Event: Clearing, Cut, Dry Explosive, Exploded, Explosion, Explosives, Finger, Flying Object, Hand, Laborer, Laceration, Misjudgment, Misjudgment of Hazardous Situation, Shrapnel, Struck By, Vegetation
NAICS: 562910
Inspection type: Referral
Activity number: #345549059
Employer profile: W.E.L., INC.
Summary number: 221395551
Report ID: 0316400

Event description

One employee amputates fingers, another employee cuts hand i

Investigation abstract

At 2:34 a.m. on September 24, 2021, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were working for a remediation service clearing weeds and brush from the exterior of the shop building. The employees found several pieces of small, cord-like material and decided to take it inside the shop to investigate it. After attempting to burn it, Employee #1 hooked up a grinder to an airline trying to cut into the material, which turned out to be detonation cord. With Employee #2 assisting, Employee #1 touched the cord to the grinder causing it to explode. Employee #1 amputated fingers on his left hand and was hospitalized. Employee #2 received medical treatment without hospitalization for a laceration to his hand.

Victims (2)

#1 Non-hospitalized injury Age 18 M

Event type
1
#2 Hospitalized Age 18 M

Event type
1

Codes shown verbatim from OSHA's accident-investigation database. A human-readable decoder is coming in a future release once the accident_lookup2 dictionary is loaded.