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*                          INFORMATION ALERT                        *  
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*  Produced by:  Ontario Ministry of Labour                         *  
*  Provided by:  Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety *  
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INFO ALERT:  23  
  
DATE:  August 19, 1992  
  
  
*** SUMMARY: ***  Critical Injury - Auger/Screw Conveyer  
  
A worker at a meat processing plant was critically injured when he  
was pulled into an auger/screw conveyer.  The guard on the  
equipment had been removed.  
  
When the worker reached over the moving conveyer to pull a lever  
to redirect poor-quality food, his torn, waist-length coat became  
entangled in the equipment, gradually pulling him in.  In an effort  
to free himself, the worker put his hands on the far side of the  
metal trough containing the auger/screw, and tried to push himself  
away.  His hand slipped and was caught in the auger.  As the worker  
struggled, his right arm was pulled out of its socket, preventing  
the rest of his body from going into the auger/screw.  
  
  
*** LOCATION(S) AND SECTOR(S) WHERE HAZARD MAY BE ENCOUNTERED: ***  
  
Any operation using an auger/screw conveyer.  
  
  
*** SUGGESTED PRECAUTIONS AND APPLICABLE SECTION(S)  
    OF INDUSTRIAL REGULATIONS: ***  
  
Accidents of this type can be avoided by ensuring that an  
auger/screw conveyer is guarded and the guard is not removed  
unless the equipment is stopped and locked out.  When a  
product must be put into the conveyer system, there should be  
a grate covering with openings small enough to keep fingers  
and hands safely away from the screw/auger.  Torn clothing  
shall never be worn when there is the risk of entanglement  
with moving parts.  
  
Section 14 (1)(b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act  
requires that:  
  
    "An employer shall ensure that, the equipment, materials  
    and protective devices provided by him are maintained in  
    good working condition."  
  
Section 28 of the Regulations for Industrial Establishments  
requires that:  
  
    "Where a machine or prime mover or transmission equipment  
    has an exposed moving part that may endanger the safety  
    of any worker, the machine or prime mover or transmission  
    equipment shall be equipped with and guarded by a guard  
    or other device that prevents access to the moving part".  
  
And, Section 87(2) states that:  
  
    "Jewellery or clothing that is loose or dangling or rings  
    shall not be worn near any rotating shaft, spindle, gear,  
    belt or other source of entanglement."  
  
  
NOTE:   "Information Alert" is produced by the Occupational  
        Health and Safety Branch, Ministry of Labour for use  
        by Ministry inspectors, health and safety associations  
        and other interested groups or individuals in Ontario.  
        The goal of this publication is to communicate hazard  
        information as soon as it becomes available to prevent  
        injury to workers.  Reproduction and use of these alerts  
        is encouraged.