30-year-old temporary worker needs surgery after her hand catches in packaging machine at Oak Creek, Wisconsin, food manufacturer

OAK CREEK, Wis. — A 30-year-old temporary employee required extensive surgery after suffering burns and lacerations of tendons and ligaments in her right hand after she used a cutting and sealing machine at a frozen bread manufacturer that supplies products to Costco Wholesale Corp., IGA, Piggly Wiggly and others.

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found that Joseph Campione Inc., a food distributor in Oak Creek, ignored safety requirements to protect workers from moving machine parts.

The agency issued one willful and four serious safety violations to the company on July 22, citing the company for failing to protect workers from machinery hazards. OSHA has proposed fines of $85,800.

"Thousands of workers are injured each year because manufacturers fail to recognize machine hazards. No worker's shift should end with a hospital stay," said Christine Zortman, OSHA's area director in Milwaukee.

In its Jan. 27, 2015, inspection, OSHA found that the company's machinery lacked adequate guards. Additionally, procedures to prevent unexpected machine movement, such as using blocking and locking devices, were not in place. These violations are among OSHA's most frequently cited and can result in death or permanent disability.

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.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Milwaukee Area Office at 414-297-3315.

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.