Severe Workplace Injuries in Sterling, Colorado

Aug 20, 2025 · Eastern Colorado Services Hospitalized

The injured employee was assisting with removing a metal pole used for a basketball hoop. Employees had cut down the pole to almost ground level. They put a tow rope around the remaining pole and hooked it to the hitch of a pickup truck to pull it out of the ground. The injured employee was standing by the pole to guide the rope. When the pole came out of the ground, it swung up and struck the injured employee on the left side above his waist and the right side of his head. He was knocked to the ground and his left calf was scraped. The injured employee was hospitalized with a fractured rib and lacerations. He required surgery.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle or object propelled by another vehicle in nonroadway area · Rib(s), oblique area · Health care and social assistance

May 7, 2025 · INDUSTRIAL WELDING AND SUPPLY CO. Amputation

An employee was using a band saw to cut 3-inch square tubing. He reached for steel tape that was left on the tubing and the blade lacerated his middle finger. The employee sustained an amputation of the right middle fingertip.

Struck by running powered equipment (other) · Finger or thumb tip(s), nail(s) · Manufacturing

Dec 4, 2024 · The Home Depot Hospitalized

An employee was standing on a step ladder to bring a box of duct tape down from about 6-8 feet up. The employee stumbled and fell from the ladder to the floor, striking his head on the concrete and suffering a head injury.

Other fall to lower level less than 6 feet · Brain · Retail

Aug 18, 2023 · INDUSTRIAL WELDING AND SUPPLY CO. Amputation

An employee was connecting a hydraulic arm to a dump truck when the arm slipped and pinched the employee's left index finger as it was in the arm's eyelet, resulting in a fingertip amputation.

Compressed or pinched by shifting objects or equipment · Fingertip(s) · Manufacturing

Jan 12, 2023 · NICHOLS TILLAGE TOOLS, INC. Hospitalized

An employee was helping move a six-foot, twenty-inch rolling table. One employee lost balance and the table fell over onto the injured employee, resulting in a right lower leg fracture.

Struck by falling object or equipment (other) · Lower leg(s) · Manufacturing

Jan 21, 2021 · TRINIDAD BENHAM CORPORATION Amputation

An employee was operating a poly packaging machine when the machine jammed. The employee was unclogging the jam when the machine cycled and the jaws closed. His hand contacted the serrated blade and caused the amputation of the pad on his left thumb.

Caught in running equipment or machinery during maintenance, cleaning · Finger(s), fingernail(s) · Manufacturing · OSHA inspection 1512577

Dec 8, 2020 · NICHOLS TILLAGE TOOLS, INC. Hospitalized

Two employees were placing steel on a die press when the machine cycled and one of the employee's hands were crushed by the 4,000-pound press, resulting in crushed thumbs and index fingers.

Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation · Finger(s), fingernail(s) · Manufacturing · OSHA inspection 1506195

Jul 24, 2020 · Villalobos Concrete, Inc. Hospitalized

An employee was placing rubber mats on the ground to protect the concrete from the metal tracks on the curb machine. His right leg was caught and run over by the curb machine. The employee sustained an abrasion to the foot, dislocated toes, and swelling. He also required leg surgery.

Pedestrian struck by vehicle in nonroadway area · Toes(s), toenail(s) · Construction

Nov 6, 2018 · WB PIPELINE, LLC Hospitalized

An employee tossed a dirt clod at the injured employee, who lost his balance, fell to the ground, and fractured his right arm while trying to break his fall.

Injured by physical contact during horseplay · Arm(s) · Construction

Apr 13, 2018 · Simon Contractors Amputation

On 4/02/2018, employees were replacing a pin in the chain for a slat conveyor. The sledge hammer used to pound the pin into the chain missed the pin and struck the left pinky finger of the employee who was holding the pin. The employee's fingertip had to be later amputated.

Injured by slipping or swinging object held by other person · Fingertip(s) · Manufacturing

Feb 16, 2018 · NICHOLS TILLAGE TOOLS, INC. Amputation

During a forging operation, an employee had their left index finger amputated while using a punch press.

Caught in running equipment or machinery during regular operation · Finger(s), fingernail(s) (other) · Manufacturing · OSHA inspection 1298459

Jan 13, 2016 · STERLING ETHANOL Hospitalized

A maintenance employee was unplugging a process condensate drain line. When the plug came loose, 200-degree water shot out and caused 2nd degree burns on the employee's chest, neck, and arm. He was hospitalized.

Contact with hot objects or substances · Multiple body parts (other) · Manufacturing · OSHA inspection 1128209

Aug 31, 2015 · Wells Fargo Hospitalized

An employee was hospitalized with a broken hip after falling to the floor at work on August 31, 2015. The injured employee required surgery.

Fall on same level · Hip(s) · Finance and insurance

Mar 25, 2015 · Sterling Component Systems Amputation

An employee was injured when his left leg got caught between the truss press and the table. The employee sustained a left leg amputation from the knee down.

Compressed or pinched between two stationary objects · Lower leg(s) · Manufacturing · OSHA inspection 1051256