Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Report for Michigan: Machinist Dies When He Came Into Contact With a Rotating Vertical Cutting Head of a Gantry Mill

摘要

In the summer of 2008, a 48-year-old male machinist died when he came into contact with a rotating vertical cutting head of a gantry mill. The decedent programmed the gantry mill to begin a milling operation. Leaving the remote pendant attached to the gantry mill frame, he walked approximately seven feet to the home position of the cutting head near the south end of the part being machined. The head descended to perform the cut and then moved at cut height west to east to align with the starting point of the cut. The head began traveling north into the material. At some point during the head movement, the decedent came into contact with the rotating head and his body was drawn into the cutting head. The decedent's activities leading to the event were un-witnessed. Possible activity scenarios include: (1) using an air hose/blow gun to remove chips, (2) preparing/finishing laser measurements to ensure cutting accuracy, or (3) preparing to apply lubricant to the cutting area. He sustained both head and upper torso injuries. A coworker observed the decedent being drawn into the cutting head. The coworker ran to the machine and yelled for help, but because he did not know the machine's operation, did not hit the emergency stop. A representative from the firm for whom the part was being manufactured was nearby taking measurements. He ran to the incident scene and activated the emergency stop. The owner was called to the scene. The owner, part representative and coworker initiated CPR and attempted to stop the bleeding. Emergency response arrived and the decedent was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.