Chattanooga Tennessee has a high rate of machinery accidents per capita. This is likely due to the many factories and businesses that are located in Chattanooga. However, there are ways to reduce your chance of a machinery accident. First, make sure that you know how to use the equipment. If you don’t know how to use it, ask someone else for help. Second, make sure that the equipment is properly maintained. If it isn’t, get it fixed as soon as possible. Finally, always keep an eye out for warning signs and be prepared to act quickly if one emerges.
Manufacturing Companies
Chattanooga is home to a number of manufacturing companies, many of which are located in the city’s industrial district. Some of the more well-known manufacturers located in Chattanooga include
Astec Industries, Inc.
Propex Operating Company, LLC
The Heil Co
Chattem, Inc.
Playcore Holdings, Inc.
Plastic Omnium Auto Exteriors, L.L.C.
American Display & Fixture, LLC
Siskin Steel & Supply Company, Inc.
Gestamp Chattanooga, LLC
Southern Champion Tray, L.P.
Westrock Converting Company
Roadtec, Inc.
Astec, Inc.
Cedar Electronics Holdings Corp.
Machinery Accidents
It’s always important to be aware of machinery accidents that may occur in your area. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, there have been a number of machinery accidents over the last few years that have resulted in serious injuries. If you are ever injured as a result of a machinery accident, it is important to contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Here are some examples machinery accidents:
AccidentDate
Employer
City
State
Description
Injury
Body Part
Event
Injury Source
Other Injury Source
30/04/2021
Shimmick Construction Company, INC.
Chattanooga
Tn
Carpenter crews were setting a bulkhead panel. The panel was being lowered into position when it got hung up on a horizontal water stop cut out on a 2x6 guide bar. The injured employee pushed on the panel to clear the guide. Upon doing so, the slack from the cable was taken up and the panel shifted. The employee's left-hand fingers were pinched between a set form and the bulkhead panel resulting in a partial amputation of the left ring finger involving the tuft of the distal phalanx.
Amputations
Finger(s), fingernail(s)
Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment
Structural elements
Parts and materials
05/01/2021
Tennessee Valley Authority
Chattanooga
Tn
An employee was inspecting components and contacts of a transformer load tap changer in a substation. When the equipment rotated, it caught the employee's left middle finger, causing an amputation at the nail bed.
Amputations
Finger(s), fingernail(s)
Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment
Power lines, transformers, convertors
13/10/2020
U.S. Postal Service
Chattanooga
Tn
After looking into a box of mail, an employee lost her balance and fell, landing mainly on her right wrist.
Soreness, pain, hurt-nonspecified injury
Wrist(s)
Fall on same level, n.e.c.
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces
18/06/2019
Atlanta Terminal Company
Chattanooga
Tennessee
On June 18, 2019, at approximately 1:30 AM, two employees were blowing out an asphalt hose after loading a barge when the lines pressurized and blew apart, spraying them with hot liquid asphalt. One of the employees was hospitalized with first, second, and third degree burns.
Third or fourth degree heat (thermal) burns
Nonclassifiable
Contact with hot objects or substances
Paving asphalt, asphaltic cement
Hoses
30/01/2016
Tri County Gin
Chattanooga
Oklahoma
An employee went into the cotton compress pit and climbed a ladder up to two press boxes. The press boxes are 24 in. wide x 48 in. long and held together by a bar between them. The press box rotates before it compresses the cotton. There is an 8 inch opening and the employee's arm got caught in that opening. As the press box began to rotate it tore part of his arm. The employee was able to pull his arm out and was transported and admitted to the hospital. His arm was amputated at hospital.
Amputations
Arm(s)
Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation
Textile, apparel, leather production machinery
13/08/2015
NABCO Electric Company, Inc.
Chattanooga
Tennessee
An employee was getting into the side of a company van to sit on the floor to go to lunch. The employee touched a conduit that was stacked in the van, causing it to shift onto his hand and amputate his right index fingertip.
Amputations
Fingertip(s)
Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment
