OSHA has cited BWAY Corp., a Chicago-area manufacturer of rigid metal, plastic and hybrid containers for five repeated and five serious safety violations of machine safety procedures, and placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program following investigations into four separate reports of workers suffering injuries. In the past five years, 15 workers suffered amputations at the Chicago plant.
“Lack of machine safety guards and procedures contribute to multiple employee injuries nationwide each year,” said Chicago OSHA Area Director Kathy Webb. “Companies must continuously monitor their facilities, and review procedures and training to ensure employees are protected from machine hazards.”
OSHA found one employee suffered two broken bones in his hand after it was crushed by a piece of equipment. Three other employees suffered amputations from unguarded https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/machineguarding/chain and sprocket assemblies.
The agency issued repeated citations for failing to train workers in lockout/tagout procedures that prevent unintentional machine movement, and inadequate machine guarding on a mechanical power press, belts and pulleys, and chains and sprockets. The five serious citations involve failing to lockout equipment prior to clearing jams and inadequate machine guarding on multiple pieces of equipment.
Based in Atlanta, the company has 27 facilities and about 4,000 employees in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico – with about 500 employees in Chicago.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.