Ohio flooring company cited after worker’s partial finger amputation

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a Portsmouth, Ohio-based hardwood flooring manufacturer for multiple safety violations after a worker’s finger was partially amputated in October.

OSHA said Monday that it issued citations for six repeat and 12 serious safety violations to Appalachian Wood Floors Inc., which does business as Graf Custom Hardwood, following the Oct. 5, 2022, incident in which the worker’s fingertip was caught in an unguarded belt and pulley.

The agency proposed fines totaling $333,693 and has placed the company in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

The citations came after inspectors visited the mill three times in five months. Two of the visits followed worker injuries.

OSHA said that during the October visit, inspectors found employees were required to clean, unjam and maintain equipment without proper tools and without training on lockout/tagout procedures.

The company has 15 days to contest the citations and proposed fines.