OSHA Says Safety Guards Could Have Prevented Amputation
The company was cited for similar violations in 2013
An OSHA investigation has determined that a machine lacking adequate safety guards could have prevented an injury that led to a woman losing her right arm, according to a press release.
As a result, OSHA has issued Parker Hannifin Corporation one repeated and one serious violation.
“Imagine the terror this worker felt as her arm was pulled into the operating parts of this powerful machine and cut severely,” said Bill McDonald, OSHA’s area director in St. Louis. “Exposing workers to such hazards is inexcusable. In 2013, OSHA provided safety intervention at Parker Hannifin after a machine lacking guards caused another employee to suffer an amputation. The company needs to take immediate action to protect workers from machine hazards at its facility.”
Investigators also found that workers were exposed to trips and falls due to floor openings being unguarded.