Nebraska flooring manufacturer tries to conceal hazards as OSHA investigates temporary worker's amputated fingers

MP Global Products faces $244K in penalties, placed in severe violator program

NORFOLK, Neb. — A Norfolk flooring materials company tried to hide hazardous machines from federal inspectors and threatened to fire employees who complained about unsafe working conditions during an investigation into why a 65-year-old temporary worker suffered the amputation of one finger and severe damage to another when his left hand was caught as he operated a machine.

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found the man's employer, MP Global Products LLC, attempted to conceal an entire production line from them. Inspectors found numerous machines lacked safety guards that exposed workers to amputation injuries on that line and throughout the facility. Workers also told investigators the company threatened to fire those who told inspectors about their safety concerns.

OSHA cited the MP Global on Aug. 26 for two willful, 22 serious and one other-than-serious safety violations carrying proposed penalties of $244,000. The agency also placed the company in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program after the inspection of the March 1, 2015, injury.

"MP Global shut down an entire production line, turned the lights off and herded employees into the back room where they were instructed to remain quiet during OSHA's inspection. This was a willful attempt to prevent inspectors from discovering numerous machine safety violations in the plant," said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in Omaha. "Knowingly requiring workers to operate unsafe machinery and threatening their jobs for reporting unsafe work practices are illegal and shameful activities. MP Global needs to immediately correct the multiple machine hazards in its facility."

OSHA inspectors found the company failed to train workers on machine safety procedures and vehicle operation. They also found blocked aisles, inadequate emergency exit signs, defective powered industrial trucks in operation and numerous electrical safety hazards, including damaged electrical boxes and exposed electrical wires.

Machine guarding violations are among OSHA's most frequently cited, and can result in death or permanent disability.

MP Global manufactures underlayment products from recycled materials for use beneath laminate, tile and hardwood flooring. These products are sold by nationwide distributors such as: Home Depot, Lumber Liquidators, Menards, Wayfair and Build Direct.

To view current citations, visit http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20150826165141.pdf andhttp://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20150826165455.pdf.

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 Omaha Area Office at 402-.553-0171.

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.