A N 0 T H E I R
l Accident Report Circular No. 32
February 25, l95H
T0 ALL HARVESTER SUPERVISORY PEDSONNEln
We got off to a bad start in the new year when another fatality occurred at one of
our works (see below) on the first working day. It is hoped that every operation
will double its efforts in accident prevention so that it will show a decided improve-
ment in SAFETY performance instead of the downward trend evident these past months.
During the recent safety supervisors' conference here in Chicago, tremendous emphasis
was placed on the importance of SAEFTX as it concerns the employe, management, and
the employe's family, centering it around four areas of activity: information, educa-
tion, recognition, and participation. Through these media we can accomplish much in
accident prevention.
The following accidents and their prevention should be reviewed and checked for pos-
sible occurrence at your Plant, then given wide publicity so that similar incidents
will not happen. Like preventive maintenance programs, accident-preventive measures
must receive constant attention.
FATAL CASE
MILWAUKEE WORKS
Crushing_in5dries to left lcg,_followed by shcck and_death - 0n the morning of
danaa}yfH"the_bperator—ofma_H-inch~AeEe*headei?andThds_helper (both with many years
of experience at this type of work) finished setting up a M-stage die (lE§" wide by
33%“ high) in the machine to forge 360l69R couplings, This header is individually
motor—driven, has the necessary start—and-stop buttons and disconnect switch, and
is equipped with an air—type clutch which is controlled by an air-actuated foot
treadle. The treadle switch was adequately guarded from the top, but was open on
three sides, and was provided with a manually controlled safety dog or cam which,
when placed in the proper position, would make the foot treadle or the switch inop-
erative.
After a few forgings were run, because of the critical nature of the job, several
members of supervision in the forging department checked the pieces for quality and
size. It was determined that certain adjustments had to be made, and the operator
tightened the saddle bolts for the tool holder or ram on top of the machine, while
his helper was using a wrench to tighten the set screws on the back punches. In
this position the helper was standing on his right foot on the bed of the machine,
with his leg dangling in the U§“ opening between the dies. About 10:30 the opera-
tor descended from the top of the machine, walked around to the front to see how
his helper was progressing, and inadvertently stepped on the foot treadle, setting
the header in motion and crushing the helper's left leg between the dies.
Following the accident the employes were reinstructed to use the safety devices
provided for their protection, and supervision was again alerted to its responsi-
bility for enforcing the rule on shutting down of equipment before adjustments,
EP-\35.B A·9 Prinved in Unived Svuves of America