OSHA Regional News Brief
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Region 5
Nov. 23, 2015
Power press operator loses 3 fingers at Akron metal stamping plant
Company failed to install safety guards; fined $103,600
Employer name: Ohio Gasket & Shim Company, Akron, Ohio
Citations received: Nov. 19, 2015
Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Cleveland Area Office cited the metal stamping company for one willful and 12 serious safety violations after the company reported a 33-year-old worker lost three fingers when his hand was struck by the operating parts of a mechanical power press on June 5.
OSHA found the power press did not have the required safety guards which exposed the worker to operating parts of the machine when he switched from two hand to foot controls.
OSHA also found the company failed to:
- Test and inspection machine safety procedures on a periodic basis
- Use locking devices and blocks to prevent unintentional operation of machines during service and maintenance
- Install presence sensing devices on power presses
- Properly supervise machine use
Quote: "This worker suffered a life-altering injury because his employer failed in its responsibility to install required safety mechanisms," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Each year hundreds of workers are injured on the job because employers fail to make safety the top priority. The company must evaluate its health and safety program to ensure workers are protected on the job."
Proposed Penalties: $103,600
View Citations here:
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Cleveland Area Office at 216- 447-4194.
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Media Contacts:
Scott Allen, 312-353-6976, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-6976, burke.rhonda@dol.gov
Release Number: 15-2241-CHI
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