OSHA: Press Operator Loses Three Fingers at Metal Stamping Plant
Ohio Gasket & Shim Company, an Akron, Ohio, metal stamping company, has been cited for one willful violation and 12 serious safety violations.
Ohio Gasket & Shim Company of Akron, Ohio, was cited for one willful violation and 12 serious safety violations after the metal stamping company reported a worker lost three fingers when his hand was struck by operating parts of a mechanical power press.
OSHA reported that it discovered the power press did not have the required safety guards, which exposed the worker to operating parts of the machine when he switched from two hand to foot controls. OSHA also found the company failed to use locking devices and blocks to prevent unintentional operation of machines during service and maintenance, install presence sensing devices on power presses, and properly supervise machine use.
"This worker suffered a life-altering injury because his employer failed in its responsibility to install required safety mechanisms," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Each year hundreds of workers are injured on the job because employers fail to make safety the top priority. The company must evaluate its health and safety program to ensure workers are protected on the job."