A Texas manufacturer was cited by OSHA after a worker’s fingers were severed inside a 500-ton hydraulic press.
Inspectors found the company failed to properly guard the operating parts of machines and equipment, leading to the incident, which saw the employee lose two fingers to the machine.
The company has a history of violations with a citation in 2014 for 34 serious and other-than serious violations and two citations in 2015 for a total of four willful, six serious and three other-than serious violations, according to a Department of Labor news release.
Fine: $412,750
Company: D&D Manufacturing Inc., El Paso, TX
Business: Metal stamping manufacturer
Reasons for fine:
Three willful violations for failure to:
- provide employment free from recognized caught-between hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm
- guard points of operation of machinery
- ensure point-of-operation devices adequately protected machine operators
13 serious violations for failure to:
- establish audiometric testing for employees exposed to unsafe levels of noise
- obtain new audiograms for employees exposed to unsafe levels of noise after obtaining baseline audiograms
- establish baseline audiograms for employees within six months of first exposure to unsafe noise levels
- ensure employees wore hearing protection when required
- train employees on noise hazards
- ensure employees wore face or eye protection when required
- ensure employees wore protective footwear when required
- locate portable fire extinguishers in areas where they’re accessible to employees
- take unsafe powered industrial trucks out of service
- regularly inspect power presses to ensure they are maintained in safe operating condition
- ensure damaged equipment was removed from service
- ensure flexible power cords had proper strain relief
- ensure containers of hazardous chemicals were properly labeled
Three other-than serious violations for failure to:
- ensure company executives certified annual injury summaries
- install electrical equipment in accordance with labeled instructions
- provide approved covers for pull boxes, junction boxes and fittings