U.S. Department of Labor Cites Delaware Manufacturing Company For Exposing Employees to Amputation and Other Hazards

NEW CASTLE, DE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Wilmington Fibre Specialty Company Inc. for exposing employees at its New Castle, Delaware, facility to workplace safety hazards. The company faces $146,152 in proposed penalties.

OSHA inspected the facility in December 2017 after an employee suffered an injury while using an improperly guarded punch press, and had three fingers subsequently amputated. OSHA cited the company for inadequate machine guarding, and failing to use lockout/tagout procedures to control hazardous energy, and report this incident and previous amputations to OSHA.

"Companies must monitor their facilities to ensure workplace health and safety procedures are adequate and effective," said OSHA Wilmington Area Office Director Erin G. Patterson. "When lockout/tagout is not implemented and machines are not guarded, employees are exposed to hazards that can cause amputations, and other serious injuries."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.

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.