GILROY
– A Gilroy Foods maintenance mechanic suffered a severed arm
after falling through a roof panel into a large garlic dryer
Wednesday morning.
By Lori Stuenkel
GILROY – A Gilroy Foods maintenance mechanic suffered a severed arm after falling through a roof panel into a large garlic dryer Wednesday morning.
The mechanic, whom officials would not name, fell between 10 and 12 feet when his arm, possibly extended in an effort to catch himself, was severed by a large circulation fan that was on at the time, according to Phil King, Gilroy Fire’s emergency medical services chief.
The fan was about 2 feet in diameter and positioned horizontally to the floor below. The victim did not appear to have any other injuries, King said.
Employees working nearby immediately called 911 and notified the Gilroy Foods’ staff nurse, said Bob McKeon, a spokesman for ConAgra Food Ingredients. McKeon would not release the victim’s name. The nurse attended to the victim until fire department and emergency medical personnel arrived about five minutes later. The limb, severed just below the shoulder, was packed on ice in a plastic bag to be transported with the victim.
The victim was airlifted by CALSTAR to Stanford Hospital and Clinics in Palo Alto, where trauma medical personnel would attempt to re-attach the limb, King said. His condition is unknown.
Officials at Gilroy Foods will investigate the incident and assist in an investigation which will be conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, McKeon said. OSHA is responsible for ensuring safe work environments and investigates injuries.
“This facility has an outstanding safety record, which is why we want to look into it,” McKeon said. “We’re concerned about any incidents like this. … Our thoughts are with the employee.”
