HOOVER TREATED WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.
Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment - Amputations - THOMSON, Georgia
| Employer | HOOVER TREATED WOOD PRODUCTS, INC. |
| Address | 1742 WARRINGTON RD. |
| City, State ZIP | THOMSON, Georgia 30824 |
| Report ID | 20161211542 |
| Event Date | December 12, 2016 |
| Outcome | Amputation |
| Nature of Injury | Amputations |
| Body Part | Fingertip(s) |
| Event Type | Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment |
| Source of Injury | Tanks, bins, vats-nonconfined space |
| Secondary Source | Forklift, order picker, platform truck-powered |
| Industry (NAICS) | 321114 |
| GPS Coordinates | 33.47000, -82.49000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
An employee was emptying trash from a small collection unit (hopper) into a much larger collection unit (roll-off dumpster). This required the employee to stage the hopper up and over the roll-off dumpster with a forklift and then dismount the forklift to manually pull a mechanical lever that releases the hopper vault and dumps the hopper contents into the roll-off. The employee grabbed the releasing handle with his right hand and placed his left-hand fingers on the bottom cross-section of the hopper between the bottom of the forklift fork and the hopper frame. When he released the hopper vault, the hopper frame sprang suddenly and violently upwards until it stopped by the bottom of the fork and created a pinch point. The employee's left-hand ring, middle, and index fingertips were caught and amputated in the pinch point.
Incident Summary
On December 12, 2016, a worker at HOOVER TREATED WOOD PRODUCTS, INC. in THOMSON, Georgia suffered amputations to the fingertip(s). The incident was classified as compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment, with tanks, bins, vats-nonconfined space identified as the source of injury. The worker was amputation.
Context
OSHA has recorded 4,985 severe injury reports involving "Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment" incidents in our database. Browse all Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2016 | SOUTHWEST AIRLINES | DALLAS, Texas | Amputations | Amp. |
| Oct 9, 2020 | United Refining Company | WARREN, Pennsylvania | Amputations | Amp. |
| Nov 17, 2015 | Greiner Industries | MOUNT JOY, Pennsylvania | Amputations | Amp. |
| Aug 3, 2017 | Nucor Steel of Auburn | AUBURN, New York | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Jan 25, 2022 | Karr Solutions LLC | AUSTIN, Texas | Amputations | Amp. |
| Mar 13, 2020 | ATL Concrete and Foundation, Inc. | ATHENS, Georgia | Amputations | Amp. |
| Oct 12, 2015 | SPEARS MANUFACTURING | CANEY, Kansas | Amputations | Amp. |
| May 1, 2020 | Bluestar USA, Inc. | WASHINGTON, Pennsylvania | Amputations | Amp. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Workers who suffer amputations on the job are generally entitled to workers' compensation benefits covering all medical treatment, prosthetics, rehabilitation, and a portion of lost wages. Many states also provide scheduled permanent disability benefits for the loss of a limb or digit, a fixed payment based on the specific body part affected. In cases where employer negligence was egregious or equipment was defective, a personal injury lawsuit against a third party (the equipment manufacturer) may be possible in addition to workers' comp. An attorney specializing in workers' compensation can advise on available options. Report the injury to OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA within 24 hours.
After an employer reports a severe injury, OSHA decides whether to conduct an on-site inspection. Fatalities and amputations typically trigger automatic inspections. For hospitalizations and eye loss events, OSHA may conduct a phone/fax investigation or an on-site inspection based on the circumstances. During an inspection, OSHA compliance officers assess the accident scene, interview witnesses, review safety records, and identify violations. Citations and penalties may be issued. OSHA also works with the employer to abate hazardous conditions. All inspection results are published in OSHA's public inspection database at osha.gov.
You can file an OSHA complaint online at osha.gov/workers/file-complaint, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742), or by visiting your local OSHA area office. Complaints can be filed anonymously. OSHA prioritizes formal written complaints from workers. If you believe an imminent danger exists, call OSHA immediately, they are required to investigate immediately when there is reasonable grounds to believe imminent danger exists. Workers are protected from retaliation for filing complaints under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act; if you experience retaliation, file a separate complaint within 30 days of the adverse action.
About This OSHA Report
This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.