EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

APPEALS BOARD

Summary of Machinery Trade Center - Decision After Reconsideration

An employee who was resurfacing a roll on a power roller first sanded the surface, then with a cloth containing a solvent, attempted to clear the roller surface of debris while it was running. The cloth got caught between the rollers and drew the employee’s hand into them causing serious injury. The evidence showed that the rollers had to be moving during the procedure. No extension tool was provided. A serious violation of section 3314(a) was alleged. The Board upheld the violation finding that the employee was "cleaning" and "servicing" the roller so the safety order applied. There must be protection against intentional movement when a machine has to be running to perform a cleaning operation. None was provided. Serious physical harm was substantially probable. The violation caused a serious injury.

MACHINERY TRADE CENTER 00-3244
June 3, 2002