Some Christmas this woman is going to have, here in Sheboygan.

[Archae]

Woman loses hand in sausage factory accident

By Troy Laack
Sheboygan Press staff

The right hand and part of the forearm of a 43-year-old woman were severed in an industrial accident at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Old Wisconsin Sausage Co. factory at 2413 Union Ave.

Meng Xiong, of 2003 Custer Ave., suffered injuries so severe that reattachment was not possible, said Sheboygan Police Lt. Tim Eirich.

Old Wisconsin is hoping for a quick recovery for Xiong, said Steve Harrison, the company’s administrative manager.

http://www.wisinfo.com/sheboyganpress/news/archive/local_13649273.shtml

[onebigbadwulf]

if i didn't get a million dollar settlement

I would shoot myself

[onebigbadwulf]

1. if i didn't get a million dollar settlement

I would shoot myself

[htuttle]

2. I'm sorry for her

...and also for the person who had to clean the machine before they could get the line moving again.

Right before the holidays, I wonder whether they were pushing production too fast. There are usually safety shields, etc... that are supposed to prevent your limbs from getting entagled in the machinery. Before Christmas when you're working 11 hour days (or nights), and the foreman has a production quota to fill, it's easy to slip up when you're tired and moving too fast. And sometimes, the foreman removes the safety guards to keep them from 'getting in the way'...

Non-neglience accidents do happen, however, and in my own experience, OSHA in WI can be pretty agressive in investigating work site accidents (especially if they require hospitalization). That's only been with small businesses, though. I have no idea if the Sausage Barons (and the Beer Barons, etc...) have a way of earning more lenient treatment (I'd suspect they do).

Did you ever start a factory job somewhere, and come to realize that many of your co-workers are missing fingers? I hate that...(shudder)...