News Release
Federal inspectors find Dixon Ticonderoga again failed to protect employees from unguarded machines during investigation of amputation injury
NEENAH, WI – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation into an employee’s amputation injury at a Neenah manufacturing plant in February 2023 found one of the nation’s oldest and most recognized companies again failed to follow required safety procedures.
An inspection by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the Dixon Ticonderoga Co.’s facility found the art supply manufacturer lacked adequate machine safety procedures. Since 2020, the agency has cited the Neenah facility three times for similar violations.
OSHA inspectors determined the injury occurred as the worker tried to clean a press used to imprint images in labeling and packaging processes, which lacked required safety guards. Inspectors also learned that the company had not developed clear and specific procedures for controlling hazardous energy and did not protect workers by employing these measures before servicing and maintaining equipment.
“For the fourth time in three years, our inspectors found Dixon Ticonderoga exposing workers to severe injuries by failing to make sure dangerous machines are guarded or de-energized as required,” explained OSHA Area Director Robert Bonack in Appleton, Wisconsin.
OSHA cited the company for two repeat and four serious violations and proposed $203,806 in penalties.
Headquartered in Appleton, Dixon Ticonderoga Co. is affiliated with F.I.L.A. Group of Italy, one of the world’s largest art and education suppliers. Founded in 1812 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the company is one of the nation’s first pencil manufacturers and today produces pencils, art papers and supplies, craft essentials and educational materials. The company has about 400 employees, including 70 in Neenah.
OSHA’s machine guarding and control of hazardous energy webpages provide information on what employers must do to limit worker exposures to machine hazards.
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.
