Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 003A Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding shall be provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks. Examples of guarding methods are-barrier guards, two-hand tripping devices, electronic safety devices, etc. At the establishment located at 625 Hager Road, Denmark, Wisconsin; the employer did not provide one or more methods of machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area in the following instances: a) On or about December 21, 2022, at the QX8 Outfeed Airlock Section, a chain for the baskets was not adequately guarded during operation to prevent entry into the machine, exposing employees to caught-in and entanglement hazards. An employee reached past the guarding, resulting in a partial finger amputation. b) On or about May 5, 2023, at the Blender 5 Room, the discharge chute for Mixer A was not adequately guarded to prevent employees access during operation, exposing employees to rotating parts. c) At the Blender 5 Room, Mixer A was not adequately guarded to prevent employees access during operation, exposing employees to rotating parts. The distance between the bars on the guard were not spaced in a manner that would prevent access to the moving paddles, and there were openings on the left side of the guards that allowed meat to pass through that did not prevent access to the blender paddles. d) At the Blender 5 Room, Mixer B was not adequately guarded to prevent employees access during operation, exposing employees to rotating parts. The distance between the bars on the guard were not spaced in a manner that would prevent access to the moving paddles, and there were openings on the right side of the guard that allowed meat to pass through that did not prevent access to the blender paddles. e) At the establishment in the Blender 5 Room, the Blender 5 Mixer Conveyor Belt sprocket was not adequately guarded during operation to prevent access, exposing employees to contact with moving parts.