An Ashland, Ohio-based plastic bag manufacturer has now been placed in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program after a worker suffered a partial amputation.
OSHA found numerous serious and repeat violations of machine safety procedures at Liqui-Box Corp. following an investigation into the incident that led to the injury.
“Hundreds of workers are injured every year in manufacturing facilities because employers fail to follow machine safety procedures,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA area office director in Toledo, Ohio. “This company exposed an employee to serious injury by failing to take the necessary and well-known safety precautions.”
An employee clearing a jam on a bag sealing machine suffered a partial amputation of his thumb, according to the agency. Liqui-Box Corp. failed to train employees on lockout/tagout procedures and neglected to complete required annual audits of safety processes.
As a result of the citations, the company now faces $155,208 in proposed penalties and 15 days to respond to OSHA's findings.