OSHA Injury Report: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. - Durant, IA SPSC

At a glance

Where did this happen?

What was the outcome?

Before the incident

Operating palletizer.

What happened

While operating the palletizer after he finished the last complete layer he cycled the machine to clear it. There was one bag left so the operator positioned the bag in the center of the table. They then cycled the machine. As the machine cycled the table closed on the bag The operator then used their hand to try to free the bag. The bag became unstuck allowing the table to close on their hand.

Injury or illness

Contusion to right hand. This caused swelling across palm and back of hand. Swelling in turn was suspected of causing carpal nerve impingement. At this time it is unclear if there is a fracture. An ER nurse said they were unsure if the initial x-ray indicated if there was or was not a small fracture to one bone. (The nurse pointed to the 5th metacarpal area.)

Object or substance involved

Metal slide gates on the palletizer closed from both sides pinching his hand.

Summary line

Contusion to the right hand from being caught in metal slide gates.

Employee and industry

When (timing detail)

Source

Data from OSHA ITA Form 300/301 electronic submissions, filing year unspecified. ITA Case Detail records are establishment-reported submissions, not OSHA inspections — no per-record IMIS deep link exists.