Drummond Co., Inc
Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning — Amputations — BIRMINGHAM, Alabama
| Employer | Drummond Co., Inc |
| Address | 900 Huntsville Ave |
| City, State ZIP | BIRMINGHAM, Alabama 35217 |
| Report ID | 2020021190 |
| Event Date | February 5, 2020 |
| Outcome | Amputation |
| Nature of Injury | Amputations |
| Body Part | Finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c. |
| Event Type | Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning |
| Source of Injury | Heating, cooling, and cleaning machinery and appliances, unspecified |
| Secondary Source | Chips, particles, splinters, n.e.c. |
| Industry (NAICS) | 324199 |
| Inspection # | 1462310 |
| GPS Coordinates | 33.57000, -86.78000 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
Two electricians were troubleshooting an HVAC (condenser) unit in a control room. Both employees went to the control room and applied group lockout to a single disconnect rated at 250 VDC power. After locking out the power to the control room and condenser unit, the employees began troubleshooting several deficiencies they observed while looking through the control panel. After repairing those items, the two employees removed the locks and validated that the repairs were working. The employees observed everything working as required except the HVAC compressor. The injured employee went up to the condenser area on an elevated walking surface that was covered in blaze which is a byproduct of the coke produced at the plant. The accumulation of blaze created an uneven surface. The employee had to remove an exterior covering or guard to validate that 250 VDC was coming from the thermostat to the junction box on the compressor motor. The employee squatted down and lost his balance before checking for 250 VDC. The employee reached to catch himself and in doing so grabbed the belts that drive the compressor motor. When contact was made, the motor began running and the employee's left hand was pulled through the pulleys amputating his left middle and ring fingers.
Incident Summary
On February 5, 2020, a worker at Drummond Co., Inc in BIRMINGHAM, Alabama suffered amputations to the finger(s), fingernail(s), n.e.c.. The incident was classified as caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning, with heating, cooling, and cleaning machinery and appliances, unspecified identified as the source of injury. The worker was amputation.
Context
OSHA has recorded 5,297 severe injury reports involving "Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning" incidents in our database. Browse all Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 18, 2015 | Keystone Food Products, Inc. | EASTON, Pennsylvania | Amputations | Hosp., Amp. |
| Aug 27, 2021 | Faircloth Forest Products Inc | SWAINSBORO, Georgia | Amputations | Amp. |
| Jun 18, 2019 | Sogefi USA, Inc | PRICHARD, West Virginia | Amputations | Amp. |
| Dec 2, 2015 | Exide Technologies | SALINA, Kansas | Amputations | Amp. |
| Dec 12, 2015 | ACME Brick | ELGIN, Texas | Amputations | Amp. |
| Oct 20, 2023 | Packaging Corporation of America | ASHLAND, Ohio | Amputations | Hosp., Amp. |
| Dec 6, 2023 | McKnight River Breeze Farm | CHASE MILLS, New York | Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury | Hosp. |
| Feb 15, 2018 | Remram Recovery LLC | TUPPERS PLAINS, Ohio | Fractures | 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.