ATX Environmental Solutions

An employee was cleaning a 3-way valve (ball type), using a 10-inch screwdriver to remove process powder. A vacuum hose was attached to the other end of the 3-way valve to suck out the powder removed by the screwdriver. While he was cleaning, the screwdriver became stuck inside the valve. After several attempts to remove the screwdriver from the valve, the employee then placed his hand on the side of the valve to generate force to remove the screwdriver. Once the screwdriver was freed from the valve, the employee's left ring finger slipped and entered the valve. Because the hose was on the other end, an alarm for low pressure immediately triggered the valve to actuate while his finger was inside. As a result, his left ring fingertip was amputated in the nailbed area.