Machine Guards Were Bypassed in Fatal Lathe Operator Injury
The company responsible, Carlson Tool & Manufacturing Corp., has been cited for one willful and one serious violation
After a lathe operator became entangled in the machine’s operating spindle and suffered injuries that led to his death, an OSHA investigation determined the company responsible allowed the machine to operate with its safety locks bypassed.
As a result, OSHA has cited Carlson Tool & Manufacturing Corp. for one willful, and one serious violation of machine safety standards.
“All too often, OSHA finds employers are complacent with machine safety features and bypass them to speed production,” said Christine Zortman, area director of OSHA’s Milwaukee office. “This worker’s tragic death was preventable. Carlson Tool & Manufacturing must re-evaluate its overall safety and health management system, including their machine safety programs and procedures to ensure they are effective.”
An inspection by the agency found the lathe’s guarding door was open, exposing the worker to the machine’s rotating parts.