FORT LAUDERDALE, F – Jefco Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer of marine and specialty hinges, was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration foracturing for six safety violations following a January incident in which a worker suffered an amputation of three fingers while operating a mechanical power press.

The proposed penalties total $94,200.

OSHA issued two willful violations relate to the amputation, including exposing workers to unguarded machinery and failing to have adequate guarding on the hydraulic brake press, which exposes employees to hand amputations.

Three serious violations that OSHA issued include exposing workers to flying pieces of metal, allowing the turnover bars used to adjust the mechanical power presses not to be spring-loaded and failing to use safety blocks when adjusting or repairing the die on the power presses.
Proposed penalties for the citations total $94,200.

"This employer is aware of OSHA's requirements for machine guarding, but continues to choose to put workers at risk," said Darlene Fossum, OSHA's area director in Fort Lauderdale. "It is the company's responsibility to ensure a safe workplace."

Posted by Rich Christianson