It’s not necessary for a body part to get stuck in a machine to lead to a death. Loose clothing can be fatal, also.
OSHA has fined a Nebraska meatpacking facility $195,100 in connection with the asphyxiation death of a worker on Jan. 18.
The worker was asphyxiated when his clothing got caught in the machine’s roller at the Hastings Acquisition facility. The company does business as Nebraska Prime Group.
OSHA found two willful violations related to the machine that involve improper guarding and lockout devices.
The inspection also turned up nine serious violations, including failure to:
- train workers on protecting themselves from hazards associated with loose clothing around moving equipment
- conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures
- properly train workers in energy control procedures
- prevent unauthorized alterations to forklifts
- train and evaluate the competency of powered industrial truck operators
- keep powered trucks that need repairs out of service, and
- regularly inspect forklifts.
The company has 15 business days to decide whether to appeal the citations.
