Amputation at Tyson Foods Plant Brings Big Fine
OSHA has fined the company $263,498 for 15 serious and two repeated safety violations.
After reports of an amputation at the Tyson Foods Inc. processing facility in Center, Texas, OSHA has identified two repeated and 15 serious violations. The company faces $263,498 in proposed fines.
The employee suffered an amputation when his finger became stuck in an unguarded conveyor belt as he worked in the debone area and tried to remove parts from the jammed belt.
OSHA reported other violations were soon discovered, such as failing to ensure proper safety guards on moving machine parts, allowing carbon dioxide levels above the permissible exposure limit, failing to provide personal protective equipment and not training employees on hazards associated with peracetic acid.
"Tyson Foods must do much more to prevent disfiguring injuries like this one from happening," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and Health. "As one of the nation's largest food suppliers, it should set an example for workplace safety rather than drawing multiple citations from OSHA for ongoing safety failures."