Serious injury report

Summary: A tradesman had the fourth finger on his left hand amputated while preparing a mobile crusher for transport with co-workers. One worker was undoing a nut that was going to be used to secure a tail pulley. Another operator was in position on the opposite side at the controls and mistakenly thought he was given a direction to lift the pulley. The amputation occurred when the worker pulled his hand away. A retaining pin was missing and the nut and bolt were used as a substitute. Emergency procedures were not followed by the workers.

Recommendations to industry: When planning tasks workers must consider:

• isolation requirements
• methods of communication
• emergency response.