OSHA finds lack of machine safety guarding after worker suffers fracture of three fingers at Ohio metal alloy manufacturer

Employer name: Materion Brush Inc.
Elmore, Ohio

Citations issued: July 13, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued one willful safety violation to Materion Brush after a worker had three fingers fractured when his right hand became caught in a pinch point as he operated a metal coiler.

After investigating the March 2016 injury, OSHA cited the company for failing to ensure the machine had adequate safety guards.

Quote: “OSHA has specific guidelines to protect workers from dangerous machinery, chemicals and other hazards in the workplace,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “Materion needs to re-evaluate its safety and health programs to ensure employees are being protected from job hazards.”

Proposed Penalties: $70,000.

View Citations here.

Background: Materion Brush is a subsidiary of Materion Corp., a global manufacturer of advanced material solutions and services. The company serves customers in 50 countries and has operating, service centers and offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Materion Corp. has approximately 2,400 employees.

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 Toledo Area Office at 419-259-7542.