MERRILL IRON & STEEL INC.
Struck by object dropped by person - Amputations involving bone loss - SPRINGFIELD, Missouri
| Employer | MERRILL IRON & STEEL INC. |
| Address | 2101 N. Packer Road |
| City, State ZIP | SPRINGFIELD, Missouri 65803 |
| Report ID | 20241110941 |
| Event Date | November 25, 2024 |
| Outcome | Amputation |
| Nature of Injury | Amputations involving bone loss |
| Body Part | Finger or thumb tip(s), nail(s) |
| Event Type | Struck by object dropped by person |
| Source of Injury | Chains |
| Secondary Source | Secondary source not applicable |
| Industry (NAICS) | 332312 |
| GPS Coordinates | 37.23500, -93.23383 |
Location Map
Incident Narrative
An employee was removing the gear box from an out-of-service weld manipulator in a storage area. The machine was secured so the employee only had to work with the weight of the chain and machine, which weighed approximately 30 pounds. He undid the master link in order to separate the chain and lost his grip on the chain with his right hand while his left hand was removing the chain from the sprocket. The tip of his left middle finger became pinched between the chain and the sprocket, resulting in a fingertip amputation at the first knuckle.
Incident Summary
On November 25, 2024, a worker at MERRILL IRON & STEEL INC. in SPRINGFIELD, Missouri suffered amputations involving bone loss to the finger or thumb tip(s), nail(s). The incident was classified as struck by object dropped by person, with chains identified as the source of injury. The worker was amputation.
Context
OSHA has recorded 114 severe injury reports involving "Struck by object dropped by person" incidents in our database. Browse all Struck by object dropped by person injuries.
Similar Incidents
Other severe injury reports involving Struck by object dropped by person events:
| Date | Employer | Location | Nature | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 6, 2024 | ShopRite of Stratford | STRATFORD, Connecticut | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations unspecified | Amp. |
| Oct 31, 2025 | GS II Building Products, Inc. | PEACHTREE CITY, Georgia | Amputations involving bone loss | Amp. |
| Mar 11, 2024 | MIDWEST MATERIALS COMPANY | CARTHAGE, Missouri | Open wounds involving internal organs, major blood vessels | Hosp. |
| Mar 1, 2025 | RYZER ENTERPRISES LLC | BIG SKY, Montana | Traumatic injuries or exposures unspecified | Hosp. |
| Jul 28, 2025 | Triple-S Steel Supply Co. | VALDOSTA, Georgia | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations unspecified | Hosp., Amp. |
| May 1, 2024 | Pennex Aluminum Company LLC. | LEETONIA, Ohio | Fractures | Hosp. |
| Apr 16, 2025 | Lippert Components | WAXAHACHIE, Texas | Amputations involving bone loss | Hosp., Amp. |
| Jun 3, 2025 | Sp Tile & Marble | BOHEMIA, New York | Amputations, avulsions, enucleations unspecified | Hosp., 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.