Wire manufacturer cited after electrocution, partial finger amputations
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An Ohio wire manufacturer cited earlier this year by federal regulators for an employee's death faces additional penalties totaling $131,000 after two workers suffered finger amputations.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to Columbus, Ohio-based ITC Manufacturing for the second time this year for violating federal workplace safety and health regulations, the agency said Wednesday.
The latest violations concern amputations affecting two employees.
In May, a 44-year-old machine operator suffered partial amputation of a left middle finger when it caught in the pinch point of a roll-forming machine as he adjusted a cutting die, even though the machine should not have been operated during adjustments, OSHA said.
In September, a 31-year-old employee also suffered partial amputation of his left middle finger while operating a shear press to cut wire because a lack of adequate safety guards exposed his hands to operating parts, according to the agency.
OSHA cited the company for 25 serious violations this week as a result of inspections following the amputations, but the agency had already cited ITC Manufacturing for five safety violations in June and assessed $17,000 in fines after investigating the April electrocution of a 42-year-old worker.
“It is unacceptable for a worker to be injured or killed on the job,” Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus, Ohio, said in a statement. “When a fatality and two amputation injuries occur at a business within six months, safety is not a priority. ITC Manufacturing needs to address its numerous deficiencies at the facility immediately and resolve to make facility safety a priority.”
A company spokesperson declined comment.
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