Losing focus, losing fingers

Sea & Shore, Summer, 2009 by Rachel A. Stubbs

It was the day before zone inspection, and time was running out. I needed to fabricate three more handles for valves in the pump room. I already had made several mistakes, leaving little of the metal that I needed. Instead of taking time to find another piece of the same material, I decided to use the short piece I had on hand.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The "buffalo," as we call it, is a hydraulic metal cutting machine, capable of cutting angle iron, flat bar, and round stock, as well as making notches or holes. As I know now, it also can mutilate fingers. I had been using the flat-bar cutter and deemed the installed safety guard excessive and inconvenient, so I had lowered it. As a result, the cutting blade came down, causing the opposite end of the metal to rise up. Unfortunately, my finger at the time was between the unused safety guard and the piece of metal. In an instant, I lost a chunk of my finger.

Upon my arrival at sick bay, the medical officer was able to reattach the wayward piece of flesh, but no one knows yet if the reattached tissue will survive.

I could have prevented this event if I only had done some things differently. Primarily, I should have focused on the task. My mind, instead, was on some personal issues. I wasn't concentrating on the machine, the piece of metal, or the safety precautions presented to me. I was wearing the proper personal protective equipment, but it's only effective when you follow all the safety precautions.

Outside the work space is a sign that states, in bold capital letters, "DO NOT TALK TO OPERATOR WHILE OPERATING MACHINERY." The intent, of course, is to prevent loss of concentration and avoid incidents like mine. Sadly, there is no sign that reminds the operator to focus only on the assignment. Besides delaying completion of the job, my lack of focus caused me pain and inconvenienced many. I'm temporarily removed from the work force, which means someone else has had to take my workload.

I also used the machine improperly. Each cutting system on the machine has a safety guard attached--all of which are removable for cleaning, maintenance, and blade replacement. In this case, I had lowered the safety guard, so that I could squeeze my fingers in between to reposition the too-small piece of metal.

It was a fast and easy shortcut. My intent was to move my fingers out of harm's way as soon as the blade touched the metal. What I forgot is that hydraulic machines are merciless and unforgiving. Because of my carelessness, I left my shop without a piece of myself.

Even though I'm well aware of the safety precautions (how could I forget, since they're posted on the equipment?), I chose not to follow them. I'm still paying for that mistake with daily trips to medical, and I have lost the ability to perform certain simple tasks.

Finally, the price I paid for rushing wasn't worth it--I never even finished the job. Taking time to do a job correctly is the best and most efficient way to complete any task.

While some people have to tie a string around their finger to help them remember things, I only have to look at my permanently distorted finger to remember how important safety in the workplace is.

By HTFN Rachel A. Stubbs, USS Essex (LHD-2)