Inspection Detail

Inspection: 315995183 - Earthbound Farm Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Fremont District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 5:00 p.m. on April 8, 2012 Employee #1, a 65-year-old male part of a cleaning crew with Earthbound Farm LLC., was cleaning salad leaves from the conveyor. Employee #1 was picking up fallen product from the Transport Plastic Container Machine. When Employee #1 placed his hand on the bottom conveyor line, the machine started its cycle pinning his hand between the conveyor line and a metal bar when his hand was struck by a metal bar on the lower part of the machine. Employee #1 sustained multiple fractures on his right wrist and hand. Employee #1 was transported to Hazel Hawkins Medical Center by an employer's representative. The employer reported the incident to Cal/OSHA, an opening conference was held with the Safety Manager, who escorted the Division to the area where the accident occurred, photographs and measurements were taken. At the time of this investigation, the scene had been changed. According to interviews, the production had just started in the San Juan Bautista location on April 3, 2012. The Safety Manager had previously requested that a guard be placed on the conveyor machine, but their Maintenance Department failed to complete her request prior to starting operations. The injury took place at the production area in the Pack Out Department of Earthbound Farms located at 1721 San Juan Hwy, San Juan Bautista, CA.

Keywords: FRACTURE, AGRICULTURE, FOOD PACKAGING MACH, LOCKOUT, CONVEYOR, NIP POINT, UNTRAINED, HAND, UNGUARDED, WRIST