Aspen Foods Cited After Machine Takes Part of Worker's Finger
OSHA cited the Illinois poultry facility for one repeat and four serious safety violations.
OSHA announced in a news release that it has cited Koch Foods Inc., doing business at Aspen Foods Inc., for one repeated and four serious safety violations. The citations stem from an incident where a worker lost part of his right middle finger while clearing a paper jam. Based in Park Ridge, Ill., Koch Foods produces food service, retail, and quick serve chicken products, according to the agency.
An inspection found that the machine didn't have the proper safety guards in order to protect the employee from moving parts. Four serious violations were given for failing to post essential procedural information in Spanish, as well as not training employees on safety procedures relevant to exposed operating parts. Proposed penalties total $52,500.
"This worker permanently lost part of his finger because his employer failed to follow basic safety procedures for preventing machine operation during service and maintenance, procedures it was certainly aware of after its recent citation," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in Calumet City. "It is disheartening to cite an employer repeatedly for hazards they know are exposing workers to life-altering injuries like this."