U.S. Department of Labor Cites Tortilla Company for Exposing Employees to Amputations After Employee Injury

LABELLE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Twins Twins LLC for exposing employees to amputations at the company's facility in Labelle, Florida. The tortilla company faces $81,682 in penalties.

An employee suffered a partial finger amputation while attempting to service a tortilla machine. OSHA inspectors determined that the company failed to establish lockout/tagout procedures to prevent unintentional start-up while performing machine maintenance; provide machine guarding; anchor a miter saw; and notify OSHA within 24 hours of the employee's hospitalization as required by law. The company also allowed employees to operate powered industrial trucks without training. OSHA has placed Twins Twins LLC in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

OSHA conducted the inspection as part of the Agency's National Emphasis Program on Amputations and Regional Emphasis Program for Powered Industrial Trucks.

"Proper safety procedures, including the effective lockout of all sources of energy, could have prevented this injury," said OSHA Area Director Condell Eastmond, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. "Employers are required to train workers and ensure that they understand how to de-energize machinery before performing service or maintenance."

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed 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 help 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 https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.