Chicago Metal Container Manufacturer Faces $81K in Penalties after Third Worker Amputation
It was the third such injury in just 17 months
According to a report, OSHA has issued B-Way Corp. of Atlanta one repeated and one serious safety violation after the third amputation injury in 17 months. The injury occurred when a machine amputate a temporary worker’s right middle finger tip after it came in contact with the machine’s operating parts as he cleared a jam.
It turns out the employer did not properly install the machine’s safety guards, and did not properly instruct workers in procedures designed to prevent machine movement during maintenance.
"Each year, manufacturing workers suffer hundreds of preventable injuries because employers fail to install safety guards properly and train workers in machine safety procedures," said Kathy Webb, OSHA's area director in Calumet City. "BWay Corp. needs to review its machines' operations corporate-wide immediately to ensure they have adequate and properly installed safety guards. They must also be sure that workers are using lockout/tag out procedures to prevent them from coming in contact with operating parts."