Bread Maker Slices Finger on Machine, Bakery Fined $51,800
"This injury could have been prevented had the company followed proper machine guarding safety procedures," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.
OSHA has cited Earth Grains Baking Cos. Inc., doing business as Sara Lee in Decatur, Ga., for nine safety violations following a February investigation of an incident in which a worker's finger was severely lacerated while operating a bread slicing machine. Proposed penalties total $51,800.
One repeat violation related to the injury was cited for exposing workers to hazards due to a lack of machine guarding on the bread slicer. The company was cited for a similar violation in May 2007 at a Wichita, Kan., facility.
Three serious violations involve not providing machine guarding for sprocket wheels and chains, not protecting shaft ends on the power transmission apparatus, and failing to conduct periodic inspections of the energy control procedures.
Five other-than-serious violations involve not completing the OSHA 300A and 301 logs for recording injuries and illnesses.
"This injury could have been prevented had the company followed proper machine guarding safety procedures," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "All employers have a responsibility to keep the workplace safe for their employees."