Re: funny how things - how I cut off my finger! update
ok, for Kuya Mike and others, how it happened:<br /><br />Work in a plant, we use augers to transfer some products.<br />Similar to a grain auger, but all ss, heavy duty, food grade stuff.<br /><br />At the bottom of the auger, on the underside, there is a drain tube, approx 1" long and 2" diameter, this allow water to drain during sanitation processes.<br /><br />Tube is to be capped when in use.<br />It was not.<br />coworker noticed it, and the product that was spilling on the floor.<br />asked for help.<br /><br />we both go to auger and to look for the cap, figuring that if we find the cap, we will shutdown and lockout the auger, then replace the cap.<br /><br />we look thru the spilled product and I don't see the cap, figure it must be in the parts rack. I start to lean back and pull my hand back to my body and somehow my middlefinger glides past the drain tube. <br />toock !!<br />not sure what has happened, but grabbed my right hand with my left and took off. Stopped, looked back at coworker, she has large eyes, which now look more like baseballs. She says "GO"<br /><br />I take off to first aid room about 250' away, pass suporvisor on the way, room soon fills with 10 first responders, one of which grabs the 911 phone to the hospital. Ambulance on its way.<br /><br />note - sanitary work glove may have aided in pulling finger into drain tube.<br /><br />Now I am sitting in aid room and there is a lot of commotion, looking for someone to take charge. no one does.<br />Some want me to let go of my hand, someone mentions wrapping my 2 hands together, get him over to the sink...<br /> WAIT !!!<br /><br />I have to tell them that there is nothing they can do, the bleeding is controlled, the ambulance will be there in a couple minutes, and anything they try to do will just make a mess.<br />Now, will someone please take off my bumpcap and remove my earplugs. The room gets pretty quiet now. <br /><br />Teamleader comes thru the door and says " i got it".<br />I ask "1/4", 1/2"? she cringes and walks out.<br />I then say " Must be an inch then, its not like its a secret, I'm the one holding the stump." Silence.<br /><br />I tell my teamleader that since I am going to the hospital, I will need my wallet (photo id for the drug test) from my locker, #331, 23-13-35. more silence<br /><br />???<br />Sure am glad I was there to supervise ! ??<br /><br />They decide to push me down the hall but the emt's are in the hall already.<br /><br />The plant manager is with them.<br />He halts production and brings all 85 department employees over to view the scene.<br /><br />6" extensions are being welded on all auger drain tubes, probably already done, will be by Monday for sure.<br /><br />Very little blood, pretty much clotted by the time the emts got there, a thick 4x4 gauze pad wasn't even half soaked, thru the whole ordeal.<br /><br />Any ??<br /><br />Doc says go to work, light duty, office work. So no workmans comp for lost time. Since we areslow at work now, I volunteered for a layoff for the first week so will get unemployment check, and keep one of the lower senior people working.<br /><br />Ofcourse all medical bills will be paid, and should get about $2400 from ins com., state manditory minimum settlement for loss at first (distal) joint, middle finger, dominant hand. Could be more if there is loss of flexion or other factors. Better than nothing. Got bills to pay.
<br /><br />Seriously though, heal quickly, and best wishes.
