Georgia Supermarket Franchisee Cited by OSHA After Amputation
A federal safety investigation into a meat grinder incident that cost an employee four fingers reveals willful and serious safety violations.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Jun 02, 2026
A commercial meat grinder accident that resulted in the amputation of an employee’s four fingers has led to federal safety citations against a Georgia supermarket franchisee.
Investigators with the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA determined that an RBG Foods Inc. employee, operating under the Piggly Wiggly banner in Bowdon, was tasked with cleaning a commercial grinder. The incident occurred when a co-worker accidentally stepped on the machine’s foot-control pedal, activating the grinder while the employee’s hand was inside.
Federal regulators issued a willful violation to the employer for bypassing the machinery's safety guards, a practice that exposed staff to moving parts and flying debris.
OSHA also leveled a serious violation against the company for failing to implement a lockout/tagout program to control hazardous energy. Additionally, the franchisee faced an other-than-serious violation for failing to report the amputation to federal regulators within the required 24-hour window.
The safety agency has proposed $196,251 in penalties.
RBG Foods Inc. has 15 business days from the receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the agency’s area director or formally contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
About the Author
Jesse Jacobs is assistant editor of OHSOnline.com.