Arm trapped

Man stuck in milling machine for hours

On Monday evening, a serious accident occurred on the premises of packaging giant ALPA in Hard (Vorarlberg). A 24-year-old man got his arm stuck in a CNC milling machine and was seriously injured. He suffered agonizing hours.  

The accident happened at around 7.50 pm. The 24-year-old was working on a CNC milling machine when his right arm suddenly became trapped under great pressure - it was impossible for him to free himself. Loud screams drew the attention of his work colleagues, who immediately pressed the emergency stop button and provided first aid. The ambulance, emergency doctor and the Hard fire department were also alerted.

The problem: the machine did not release the man's arm. Only after two and a half hours and under the most extreme conditions - the man was in enormous pain - were the Floriani team able to free his arm. The seriously injured man was then given medical treatment on site before being taken to Feldkirch Regional Hospital by the Christophorus 8 rescue helicopter.

Was the machine defective?
The cause of the accident is a big mystery - because such a scenario should never have happened. The milling machine is now being investigated for a possible malfunction. Furthermore, due to the seriousness of the accident, officials from the labor inspectorate have been called in - together with ALPA's safety officers, they will examine the incident in detail.