News Release
Federal inspection finds El Paso metal stamping manufacturer willfully exposed workers to amputation dangers; worker suffers severe injury
EL PASO, TX – An El Paso metal stamping manufacturer with a history of workplace safety violations failed again to protect its workers from the dangers of moving machine parts. As a result, a worker suffered the amputation of two fingers inside a 500-ton hydraulic press.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected D&D Manufacturing Inc. in January 2021 and cited the facility for two willful, 12 serious and three other than serious violations. OSHA proposed penalties totaling $412,750.
“The willful and serious violations identified in this inspection show D&D Manufacturing Inc. continues to ignore required worker safety protections. Moving machine parts have the potential to cause severe injuries when they are not properly guarded and safety procedures are absent,” said OSHA Area Director Diego Alvarado, Jr. in El Paso, Texas.
OSHA found the company failed to use required machine guards to prevent employees from coming into contact with machines’ operating parts; did not conduct periodic and regular inspections, resulting in machine malfunctions; and failed to ensure that each affected employee used appropriate protective eye or face equipment and hearing protection.
Previous OSHA inspections at D&D have identified significant safety and health concerns. In 2014, OSHA cited the plant for 34 serious and other-than-serious violations. The company was cited twice in 2015 for a total of four willful, six serious and three other-than-serious violations.
Headquartered in Bolingbrook, Illinois, D&D Manufacturing has more than 400 employees in Bolingbrook, El Paso and in Mexico. The El Paso plant has approximately 60 employees.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of 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.
