Cushion manufacturer cited for worker’s severe injury

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration assessed a cushion manufacturer $227,907 in penalties after a worker suffered a severe arm injury at a plant in Temple, Texas.

E.R. Carpenter LP, a subsidiary of the Richmond, Virginia-based Carpenter Co., is facing one willful citation, one repeat citation and three serious violations in connection with the January accident, the agency said Wednesday.

The worker’s right forearm became caught in a hot laminating machine while trying to clear debris, resulting in its partial amputation, according to OSHA, which found the employer “ignored known safety hazards” by not installing adequate machine guards or locking devices on the machine.

OSHA also determined the company did not conduct periodic inspections of its machine safety procedures, apply a personal lock to a group lockout procedure to verify energy sources were isolated, and exposed workers to falls into dangerous equipment.

OSHA issued Carpenter Co. a citation for similar energy control procedure violations after an inspection at its Verona, Mississippi, facility.