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Auto parts specialist plant faces $570,000 OSHA fine for employee amputation

May 12th, 2017 by Dakota Software Staff Industry News

Auto parts specialist plant faces $570,000 OSHA fine for employee amputation

A specialist auto parts manufacturer with operations in Ohio is facing a substantial fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following a serious amputation incident at one of its facilities. Local ABC affiliate WTVG reported the industrial accident, which happened in the suburban town of Oregon, near Toledo, involved the complete severing of the worker's right hand and partial removal of his right arm.

OSHA followed up with a safety inspection that resulted in just a handful of violations issued. However, the total fine associated with the violations is $569,463, according to EHS Today. That major penalty is a reminder of the power OSHA holds when it comes to workplace accidents and EHS regulatory compliance concerns.

Details of the accident

The on-the-job incident occurred in late 2016. The employee was working with scrap fabric fibers, using a shredding machine to turn the waste material into more manageable forms for later reuse. As the employee fed the fibers into the machine, his arm became caught in the circular drum that shreds the fibers. The resulting injury was serious, involving a major partial and full amputation of the right arm and hand, respectively.

An OSHA news release said the regulator found and cited a total of four violations. They were:

  • Lack of proper guarding for machines and points of operation, potentially exposing employees to serious injuries.
  • Creating conditions where workers are subject to struck-by hazards from a variety of machinery and equipment.
  • Lack of training for workers on proper energy source isolation procedures for specific pieces of machinery.
  • Absence of lockout tools to prevent the accidental activation of potentially dangerous machinery.

"This incident illustrates why companies must evaluate machine safety procedures to ensure they are adequate and effective in protecting workers from injuries on the job," said Dorothy Dougherty, deputy assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, in an OSHA release. "In addition to being the law and the right thing to do, safe workplaces are an important component in supporting and sustaining job growth in America."

The large penalty the organization faces for health and safety rule violations isn't final, as the business can choose to contest the findings or request an informal conference with the regional OSHA director. However, it's a reminder that all businesses need to regularly assess and improve their approach to workplace safety and wellness.

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