Waupaca Foundry Faces OSHA Fines After Repeat Violations Lead to Worker Injuries
The lack of machine guarding and safety procedures resulted in amputation injuries.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Nov 03, 2023
Following incidents where two employees suffered amputations within 11 days, OSHA has cited Marinette, Wisconsin-based Waupaca Foundry Inc. with proposed penalties of $234,385.
According to a release dated Nov. 1, the incidents involved inadequate machine guarding and energy control. A 29-year-old worker experienced a fingertip amputation on April 27, 2023, followed by a similar injury on a 20-year-old worker on May 8. Both employees were working with grinders to trim parts during the casting process without sufficient safety measures.
OSHA’s investigation concluded the foundry had repeatedly exposed workers to amputation and electrical hazards, including comparable violations in 2019 and 2021. The latest citations include two repeat and six serious violations. These include an absence of verification and testing of energy control procedures, adequate machine training and compromised guardrails.
“Despite repeated employee injuries and OSHA citations, Waupaca Foundry continues to ignore federal and industry-recognized safety requirements to prevent employee exposure to amputation, electrical and other hazards,” OSHA Area Director Robert Bonack in Appleton, Wisconsin, said in a statement. “The foundry must implement procedures and training immediately to protect its employees from these preventable injuries.”
Waupaca Foundry now has 15 business days from to comply, request a conference with the area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.