Can you think of a worse scenario? Part of a worker’s thumb was cut off while an OSHA inspector was onsite.
As a result, OSHA has cited Stampcoat Inc., dba El Paso Tool & Die, in El Paso, TX, for 33 violations (32 serious) and $119,000 in fines following finger amputations suffered by two workers.
An unguarded machine crushed one worker’s index and middle fingers and amputated part of his ring finger. During the OSHA inspection, a machine sheared off the tip of another worker’s thumb.
The violations include failure to:
- require employee(s) to use appropriate hand protection when employees’ hands were exposed to hazards such as those from skin absorption of harmful substances
- clearly and specifically outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules and techniques to be used for the control of hazardous energy
- train employees about the control of hazardous energy
- provide machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees from hazards such as those created by point of operation, in-going nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks
- periodically and regularly inspect each power press to ensure that all of parts, auxiliary equipment, and safeguards, including clutch/brake mechanism, anti-repeat feature, and single-stroke mechanism, are in safe operating condition and adjustment
- inspect belts, lacings and fasteners to make sure such equipment was kept in good repair
- ensure electrical equipment was free from recognized hazards
- maintain exit routes that are free from obstructions
- mark each exit with an “exit” sign
- establish and maintain an audiometric testing program
- obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels
- store material in such a way that it was stable and secure against sliding and collapse, and
- remove from service powered industrial trucks found to be in need of repair, defective or in any way unsafe until restored to safe operating condition.
“A proper machine guard can mean the difference between keeping your fingers or losing them,” said Diego Alvarado Jr., OSHA’s area director in El Paso.
The inspection was conducted under OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Amputations.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or appeal the violations to the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
