OSHA Injury Report: Smeal - Ephrata

At a glance

Where did this happen?

What was the outcome?

Before the incident

Employee was grinding rust off of parts being prepared for welding onto a ladder section

What happened

Employee was using a 5inch grinder to clean excessive rust build up on a part that was stored outside Due to the lack of work tables and available free space employee had the part on the floor kneeling over to perform the task During the grinding of the part the grinding wheel on the tool caught the edge of the part causing the spinning grinder to kickback striking the employees left leg between the knee and thigh causing a cut through the pant leg and causing a laceration Firstaid team was notified and was determined that the employee need to be sent out for further evaluation Immediately four new working tables have been ordered a temporary working table has been cleared off and is being used

Injury or illness

Nature of InjuryIllness Laceration Body Parts LegLeft

Object or substance involved

pimple hard grinding wheel used on a air sander

Summary line

Nature of InjuryIllness Laceration Cause of InjuryIllnessCut By Powered Hand Tool Body Parts LegLeft Object Substance pimple hard grinding wheel used on a air sander

Employee and industry

When (timing detail)

Source

Data from OSHA ITA Form 300/301 electronic submissions, filing year 2025. ITA Case Detail records are establishment-reported submissions, not OSHA inspections — no per-record IMIS deep link exists.