Gerdau Long Steel North America Midlothian Mill
Caught in running equipment or machinery, n.e.c. — Amputations — MIDLOTHIAN, Texas
| Employer | Gerdau Long Steel North America Midlothian Mill |
| Address | 300 Ward Road |
| City, State ZIP | MIDLOTHIAN, Texas 76065 |
| Report ID | 2019055349 |
| Event Date | May 28, 2019 |
| Outcome | Amputation |
| Nature of Injury | Amputations |
| Body Part | Finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c. |
| Event Type | Caught in running equipment or machinery, n.e.c. |
| Source of Injury | Pumps |
| Industry (NAICS) | 331111 |
| GPS Coordinates | 32.45516, -97.03871 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
A maintenance employee and a coworker were responding to a call in which an air intake hose had become disconnected from the air pump inlet. Upon arrival, the injured employee and coworker went to the electrical panel, which powered four 40-horsepower motors. The power to pump number 13-1 was turned off. The employee then went to the location of air pump 31-2 and reached around the intake to confirm there was no suction. The unit was still operating and sucked his left hand into the air intake impeller, severely injuring four fingers and resulting in the amputation of the first digit to the middle finger. The left hand index finger required sutures with no loss of bone, and the ring and little fingers had minor avulsions.
Incident Summary
On May 28, 2019, a worker at Gerdau Long Steel North America Midlothian Mill in MIDLOTHIAN, Texas suffered amputations to the finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c.. The incident was classified as caught in running equipment or machinery, n.e.c., with pumps identified as the source of injury. The worker was amputation.
Context
OSHA has recorded 718 severe injury reports involving "Caught in running equipment or machinery, n.e.c." incidents in our database. Browse all Caught in running equipment or machinery, n.e.c. injuries.
See all reports for Gerdau Long Steel North America Midlothian Mill.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Caught in running equipment or machinery, n.e.c. events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2018 | TAMKO ROOFING PRODUCTS, INC. | JOPLIN, Missouri | Amputations | Amp. |
| Dec 20, 2023 | Scout Surface Solutions | MIDLAND, Texas | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Jan 9, 2018 | QPS Employment Group, Inc. | WHITEWATER, Wisconsin | Amputations | Amp. |
| Dec 15, 2017 | First Student, Inc. | BRODHEADSVILLE, Pennsylvania | Amputations | Amp. |
| Nov 9, 2021 | New England Wire Products, Inc | LEOMINSTER, Massachusetts | Amputations | Amp. |
| Mar 16, 2019 | Huntingdon Fiberglass Products, LLC | HUNTINGDON, Pennsylvania | Amputations | Hosp., Amp. |
| May 16, 2018 | SOUTHERN BAKERIES | HOPE, Arkansas | Amputations | Hosp., Amp. |
| Mar 22, 2019 | PGT Industries, Inc. | NORTH VENICE, Florida | Multiple traumatic injuries and disorders, n.e.c. | Hosp. |
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.