OSHA Cites Nebraska Company for Amputation Hazards
The agency cites Bioiberica Nebraska for exposing workers to amputation and other hazards
OSHA has cited Bioiberica Nebraska, a subsidiary of Bioiberica S.A., for exposing workers to amputation and other hazards at a food supplement plant, according to a report from OSHA. The company has been issued $101,200 in proposed fines for 10 health and safety violations, including three willful ones. In addition, OSHA has placed the company in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
The company received three willful citations for exposing workers to injuries, such as burns, crushing, electrocution, lacerating, amputating and fracturing body parts. The company also failed to develop written procedures, provide training and implement a program with locks, tags or other hardware to prevent machines from starting up while maintenance and service were being performed. OSHA also issued seven serious violations for failing to provide training to educate workers on how to recognize, evaluate and control exposure to hazardous chemicals.
"OSHA's investigation found multiple violations that exposed workers to serious amputation risks. Workers servicing or maintaining machines or equipment may be seriously injured or killed if basic protections on machines are not provided," said Bonita Winingham, OSHA's area director in Omaha, in OSHA’s press release. "Manufacturers, such as Bioiberica Nebraska, must recognize the hazards their employees face and take precautions to keep them safe on the job."