OSHA cited an Ohio musical instrument manufacturer following an inspection into an amputation injury, the sixth such injury the agency had to investigate at the plant in the past eight years.
Further, inspectors found that employees at the Eastlake, Ohio facility were injured at four times the industry average rate in the past five years.
The inspection began on July 14, 2023, when OSHA responded to an employer report that a worker suffered a finger-tip amputation while setting up a machine die inside a press.
Inspectors determined the injury was caused by deficiencies in lockout/tagout procedures and machine guarding practices. They also reviewed injury logs and found that the company’s average recordable injury rate from 2019 to 2023 was 7.8 workers per year compared to the industry average of 2.3.
Fine: $273,447
Company: Conn-Selmer Inc., Eastlake, OH
Business: Musical instrument manufacturing
Reasons for fine:
Three repeat violations for failing to:
- ensure procedures were used for the control of hazardous electrical and hydraulic energy sources while employees were engaged in maintenance activities
- ensure employees followed procedures for controlling hazardous energy in the proper sequence
- provide adequate machine guarding at equipment points of operation
Three serious violations for failing to:
- clearly outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques to be used in procedures for the control of hazardous energy
- conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures
- provide training to employees on the recognition of hazardous energy sources
