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Die cast operator pinned by robot.

NIOSH

Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, FACE 84-020, 1984 Sep; :1-7

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/In-house/full8420.html

00217771

The case of a die cast operator who died after being pinned against a pole by a hydraulic robot on July 21, 1984 was examined. The victim was a 34 year old die cast operator with 15 years of experience. The victim apparently entered the working area of an automated die cast system in which a Unimate Robot was being utilized. A safety rail with an interlock gate was in place around the working area of the robot; however, openings were present. The victim was an experienced operator who had been trained against this type of activity; however, coworkers reported having seen the victim enter the robot area on other occasions. The victim was discovered by a coworker pinned between the right rear of the robot and a safety pole. The victim died 5 days later in the hospital. No physical signs of crushing injury were present and x-rays of internal organs and bones were negative. It was concluded that the behavior of the victim may have been the major contributing factor to this accident and recommendations were made on improving ergonomic design and safety systems, specific safety training procedures, and proper supervision.

NIOSH-Author; FACE-84-020; Accident-analysis; Toolmaking; Robotics; Work-practices; Automation

19840901

Field Studies; Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation

1984

PB94-151487

A02

FACE-84-20

DSR

NAICS-33

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

MI; WV