Many young workers have jobs in food service, from the finest restaurants to food trucks. All these workplaces have inherent risks, and some of those can have life-altering consequences.
On March 15, 2023, a young worker at an ice cream parlor was cleaning the ice cream machine. They had a rag in their right hand and were wiping the outside of the machine. The machine was on a self-cleaning cycle, and the paddles inside the machine hopper were moving. The worker put the rag on the inside of the hopper to wipe the sides, and the rag got caught in the paddles, quickly pulling their hand into the paddles. They ended up permanently amputating three fingers on their right hand.
In safety, we gather the facts to find out what went wrong so we can prevent this from happening again. Oregon OSHA’s two main findings:
- Missing guard – The point of operation of the machinery did not have a guard to prevent employees from getting any of their body parts into the danger zone while it was operating.
- No Lockout/tagout program – No procedures were developed, documented, or used to protect workers from the potential of hazardous energy.
These injuries happen so quickly, but they can be prevented with proper equipment and training. Most importantly, create a culture where missing guards are not OK, and that having a way to protect workers from hazardous energy is the norm – that it is “just the way we do things here.”
Things like rags and gloves can get caught in moving parts, so as you do any tasks at your job, look to see what kinds of risks are there. If something feels unsafe, it is – and it’s important to speak up to protect yourself and all the other young workers doing the same job.
