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Cosmetics maker cited over worker's amputated fingertip

Posted On: Jun. 17, 2016 12:00 AM CST

Cosmetics maker cited over worker's amputated fingertip

A Pennsylvania cosmetic manufacturer has been cited and is facing $285,300 in proposed fines from federal safety and health regulators after an employee suffered a finger amputation.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued six serious violations to Morgantown, Pennsylvania-based PhytogenX Inc. for hazards including exposing employees to fall and forklift hazards and failing to properly guard a filling machine, which caused the amputation, the agency said Monday in a statement.

OSHA also issued four willful citations for improper storage and handling of flammable liquids, according to the statement.

“PhytogenX did not uphold its legal responsibility to provide a safe workplace by exposing employees to serious fire hazards and not training them to recognize warning signs or special precautions required when working with flammable liquids,” Kevin Kilp, area director of OSHA's Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, office, said in a statement. “An employee needlessly suffered the loss of a fingertip, which is something that could have been prevented through basic machine safeguards. This company must immediately address the cited hazards to avoid further incidents from occurring.”

A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.