Sleeve Snag Was Fatal

A supervisor died when he was pulled into the paddles of a food mixing machine. The sleeve of his coat caught in the rotating machinery, which lacked a guard to prevent such contact.

He was an experienced worker who had done many kinds of work at the plant and had trained many new workers during his years of employment. He had been unloading the machine when the fatality occurred.

In this incident and in many others, lack of machine guarding and loose clothing combined to result in a fatality. Never forget how dangerous it is to work around rotating machinery; sleeves, gloves and other clothing can get caught. If you see a hazard such as unguarded equipment – even if it’s always been that way – speak up. It’s dangerous for everyone from the newest worker to the most competent member of your crew.