OSHA cited a Wisconsin cleaning products manufacturer after an employee’s fingertip was severed while clearing a pump’s outfeed.
Inspectors determined that the company failed to control hazardous energy during service and maintenance activities. The company also failed to report the incident, as required under OSHA regulations.
On Aug. 18, 2023, the employee was on the overnight crew that was operating melt tanks used to create scented laundry beads.
Inspectors learned that the product lines weren’t locked out or shut down at the time, which exposed workers to the pump’s point of operation.
The company lacked written lockout/tagout procedures and didn’t have adequate machine guarding, according to OSHA. The agency issued similar citations to the company in 2019 and 2021.
Fine: $194,518
Company: Tufco LP, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Business: Sanitary paper product manufacturing
Reasons for fine:
One repeat violation for failing to:
- guard a machine’s point of operation
Seven serious violations for failing to:
- develop and use procedures for the control of potentially hazardous energy
- re-train employees on energy control procedures when there is a change in job assignments
- ensure that employees followed energy control procedures in proper sequence
- provide one or more methods of machine guarding to protect employees from points of operation, ingoing nip points and rotating parts
- develop and use a written respiratory protection program for employees who were required to use respirators
- provide medical evaluations for employees who were required to use respirators
- provide effective training for employees were were required to use respirators
Two other-than serious violation for failing to:
- report an amputation event within 24 hours
- ensure that employees were informed of the existence and locations of, and the danger posed by, permit-required confined spaces
