Safety

OSHA: Liqui-Box Corp. Failed to Train Workers on LOTO

March 14, 2018

Proposed penalties total more than $150,000.

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.

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 IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics 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.