Taft Gin and Seed Company, Inc.

An employee was using a screwdriver to dislodge a cotton wad in the cotton feeder. A second employee came to see what was happening and to help. The first employee bumped the second employee, whose hand was then caught in the chain and sprocket of the running feeder. The second employee freed his hand and went to the office. During that time, the first employee's hand was also caught in the chain and sprocket. They both suffered lacerations and smashed fingers. The first employee's middle or ring finger was surgically amputated. The second employee's forefinger was surgically amputated.