Please note: As of January 20, 2021, information in some news releases may be out of date or not reflect current policies.
News Brief
Metal fabricator cited for exposing workers to amputation hazards
Employer name: M&M Manufacturing Co. LLC
Site: Houston, Texas
Date initiated: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated the March 2015 inspection after receiving a report of an amputation at the facility under the new OSHA recordkeeping and reporting requirements that became effective January 1, 2015.
Investigation findings: OSHA's Houston North Area Office cited the employer for three serious violations for failing to disable potentially hazardous machinery and not guarding machine parts, which exposed workers to amputation hazards. The employer was also cited for one repeat violation for failing to guard equipment in which workers might get caught and injured.
Proposed Penalties: $55,000
Quote: "Any time a worker is exposed to machinery without proper guarding is one more time that worker is in jeopardy of losing a limb or even a life. Such negligence over a commonsense safety requirement will not be tolerated," said Joann Figueroa, OSHA's acting area director in the Houston North office. "It is the employer's responsibility to find and fix hazards in the workplace."
Citations: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/MM_ManufacturingCoLLC_1044326_0416_15.pdf
Information: M&M Manufacturing, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, has manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, Austin and Little Rock, Arkansas. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.