Last month, Eagle Recycling of New Jersey was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a worker's fingers were amputated in a machine at the company's North Bergen, NJ recycling transfer site.*
The worker was clearing a cardboard jam on the conveyor belt system when his fingers were amputated. OSHA's citation claim that the amputation injury was caused by the lack of lockout procedures, which would have locked out the machine's energy source.
OSHA has safety standards requiring machines to have lockout/tagout programs to prevent injuries such as this.
In addition to having lockout/tagout procedures (LOTO), the employees need to be trained on LOTO procedures.
The company was also cited for a repeat violation for failing to provide fall protection for workers who worked 8-feet above ground on unguarded platforms. A similar violation was cited in 2009 and 2010.
Amputation and fall injuries are common injuries suffered by industrial machine operators and construction workers. These types of injuries often have devastating effects on the workers and their families.
Workers may have claims against other parties other than worker's compensation claims. The workplace injury lawyers at White and Williams LLP have the expertise and resources to determine all liable parties and help injured workers and their families. Call 877.944.8396 for a free, no obligation consultation.
*Source: OSHA