Incident date: 2020-01-29
NAICS industry code: 541420

An employee was working to fit two 1-1/2-inch stainless steel spool pieces at a flanged connection to bolt up. 

To align the two spool pieces, the top section of pipe (10 feet in length) was rigged using a nylon strap choker, attached to a 1/2-ton chain. 

As the employee attempted to move the pipe, the load shifted in the nylon strap, causing the top section of the pipe to drop approximately 1-2 inches, which pinched the injured employee's left index finger in the flanged connection and resulted in an amputation of the finger's distal tip.

Hazard classification:
code_event: title: Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment
code_source: title: Pipes, ducts, tubing, unspecified
code_nature: title: Amputations
code_body: title: Fingertip(s)
severity: high