OSHA Cites Companies Following Amputation

Aug. 9, 2001
Ronell Managed Services LLC, of Roselle, N.J., and Topps Meat Co. in Elizabeth, N.J., have been cited for safety violations, following an investigation of an amputation at Topps Meat.

Ronell Managed Services LLC, of Roselle, N.J., and Topps Meat Co. in Elizabeth, N.J., have been cited for safety violations, with total proposed penalties of $103,500, following an investigation of an amputation at Topps Meat, OSHA said.

The agency initiated its investigation in February, after a Ronell maintenance worker''s arm was severed as he was cleaning a mixer-blender.

OSHA charged Ronell Managed Services with one alleged willful and four alleged serious violations of OSHA standards, according to Robert Kulick, OSHA''s area director in Avenel, N.J.

Ronell was cited for failing to ensure that employees used lockout/tagout devices on machinery, an alleged willful violation carrying a total proposed penalty of $70,000.

Alleged serious violations, with a total proposed penalty of $20,000 were issued for:

  • failure to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures.
  • failure to properly train employees required to clean machines about how to recognize and isolate energy sources.
  • failure to inform the on-site employer about lock/out procedures.
  • failure to ensure that disconnects for machines were properly marked.

The host employer, Topps Meat Co. received citations for six alleged serious violations, with total proposed penalties of $13,500 for:

  • failure to keep obstructions away from emergency exits.
  • failure to provide locks for employees responsible for dismantling and cleaning machines.
  • failure to conduct an annual review of lockout procedures and train employees in the procedures.
  • failure to apply locks on machinery disconnects prior to cleaning.
  • failure to properly guard rotating machinery parts.
  • failure to label disconnecting boxes and provide a continuous ground path.

Topps Meat was also cited for failure to post and to certify the required OSHA log of injuries and illnesses in the workplace.

by Virginia Foran

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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