OSHA Accident Investigation · Summary #825422
AMPUTATED,FAN,FINGER,WORK RULES,BLADE,UNGUARDED
Event description
Employee's fingertip amputated by fan
Investigation abstract
On the morning of July 1, 1988, Employee #1, a design engineer, was witnessing c engineering technician were trying to determine when to close the openings with relation to the current being measured. The electrical engineer was adjusting t he opening while the senior engineering technician was logging the data. The oth er senior engineering technician was behind the box and Employee #1 was to the r ight facing the table while the tests were being done. After approximately 5 to 10 minutes, all of the tests had been completed. The senior engineering technici an had to leave the area and the electrical engineer was physically monitoring t he back air flow. He was about 18 in. from the edge of the table where the fan w as positioned. Employee #1 stepped forward and motioned with his left hand towar d the fan, saying that a finger guard was needed on the fan where it went back i urrent load and air flow tests on the controller enclosure for a high water spee nside the equipment. His hand was sucked into or struck against the fan, which s truck his left ring and little fingers. Employee #1 went to the nurse's station, where it was determined his little fingertip had been amputated. He was taken t o a hospital, but the tip could not be reattached. d technology demonstrator. The tests were to determine the maximum current draw of a fan and were to take place in building #10 in the vehicle area. An electric al engineer and a senior engineering technician had determined that the test nee ded to be conducted and another senior engineering technician was present to ass ist the operation. The fan and enclosure assembly, weighing approximately 30 to 40 lb., was placed on the end of a table. The fan revolved at 13,500 rpm. There were openings on each side of the fan and the electrical engineer and the senior
Victim
-
#1 Hospitalized Age 43 M
- Nature of injury
- 1
- Part of body
- 10
- Event type
- 1
- Source
- 26
- Occupation code
- 14
- Human factor
- 1
- Environmental factor
- 13
- Task assigned
- 2
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