Federal investigation of employee injury finds Temple, Texas furniture manufacturer repeatedly exposed workers to amputation hazards

TEMPLE, TX – While the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has given a Temple furniture design and manufacturing company several opportunities to stop exposing its workers to amputation hazards, an investigation into a recent serious injury found little has changed.

Responding to a complaint, the OSHA investigation on April 20, 2021, found an employee suffered a broken finger when their hand was caught in a machine. The employee’s injury occurred while feeding raw materials into a process line that glues furniture parts. Inspectors determined that the company removed guarding and failed to follow hazardous energy control procedures to prevent sudden machine start-up or movement during maintenance and servicing.

Following the inspection, OSHA cited the company for three repeat violations related to energy control and two serious violations for failing to follow lockout/tagout procedures and provide machine guarding to protect workers from the moving parts. MooreCo Inc. faces $249,657 in proposed fines.

OSHA cited the company for similar violations in 2015 and 2018.

“Lockout/tagout and machine guarding violations are two of the most frequently cited hazards and if not addressed, the consequences can be serious or fatal worker injuries,” said OSHA Area Director Casey Perkins in Austin, Texas. “The threat of being caught in an unforgiving machine is a constant danger in a manufacturing setting. Aside from the terrible physical toll paid by injured workers, these preventable incidents can be life-altering events that leave workers unable to support themselves and their families.”

Founded in 1985 and rebranded as MooreCo Inc. in 2007, the company designs and manufactures furniture for commercial use in offices, schools and other locations, as well as custom project design. Its clients include the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, NASA, Amazon and Apple.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its 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 workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. Learn more about OSHA.