OSHA’s investigation of machine operator’s injuries finds safety guards bypassed at Wisconsin retail bag manufacturer

Employer name: KG Marketing and Bag Co.
1201 S. Grandview Blvd
Waukesha, Wisconsin

Citations issued: Oct. 21, 2016

Investigation findings: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited KG Marketing and Bag Co., a manufacturer of plastic bags for commercial use, for one willful violation of OSHA’s machine-guarding standard and one other-than-serious violation for failing to report an amputation within the required 24-hour reporting period.

OSHA initiated an investigation after learning a worker suffered a partial amputation of his right index finger on April 22, 2016, while clearing a jam on a bag-sealer machine. Inspectors found the machine’s safety guards – light curtains installed by the manufacturer – were disabled. The curtains prevent workers from coming in contact with machine blades and other moving parts.

Quote: “Each year hundreds of workers are injured because employers disable or bypass machine guards to maintain production,” said Christine Zortman, area director of OSHA’s Milwaukee office. “Injuries, like the one suffered by this worker, are preventable by following OSHA and manufacturer safety procedures, training workers to recognize hazards, and maintaining adequate machine guarding.”

Proposed Penalties:  $78,325

View Citations here.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report 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 Milwaukee Area Office at (414) 297-3315.