OSHA proposed penalties totaling $412,750 after staff member lost two fingers inside hydraulic press
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing penalties totaling $412,750 against El Paso, Texas company D&D Manufacturing Inc.
The organization has cited the employer for two willful, 12 serious and three other than serious violations after a worker suffered the amputation of two fingers inside a 500-ton hydraulic press.
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.
“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 Diego Alvarado, Jr., OSHA area director, in El Paso, Texas.
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.
OSHA also found that Milwaukee metal fabricating facility Tramont Manufacturing LLC continues to put its workers’ safety and health at risk, and proposed penalties of $216,307.
