Workers in Oklahoma rely on safety measures on the job. Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated and cited a food manufacturing company in another state for failing to provide safeguards on dangerous machines even after being warned to do so. The safeguards prevent workers’ hands from contacting the blades inside the machines, preventing serious workplace injuries. Without the guards in place, workers risk losing fingers.
In December, OSHA inspectors determined that an employee lost one finger and parts of two others on his right hand while cleaning a breading machine. Just a month later, inspectors returned concerning an incident in which another employee lost a finger trying to clear a jam from blades in a machine. Apparently OSHA had investigated the facility a year earlier because of similar hazards.
After the recent incidents, OSHA fined the company $140,000 for repeated and serious safety violations. The company has 15 days to pay its penalties and rectify the situation or appeal. The OSHA director believes the company must make some major changes in order to keep its employees safe on the job.
Meanwhile, two men are left with serious workplace injuries. At least one of the men required surgery for his injury, and undoubtedly they both suffered a great deal of pain. With missing fingers, they may not even be able to do their jobs any longer. Injured workers in Oklahoma who suffer on-the-job injuries may be decide to contact an experienced lawyer who will fight to get them the compensation they deserve.
Source: kfvs12.com, “OSHA: Absence of safety guards led to amputation injuries at Pie“, Amber Ruch, June 21, 2016