Twins Twins LLC, a tortilla maker based in Labelle, Fla., failed to establish lockout/tagout procedures leading to a worker's partial finger amputation.
OSHA discovered numerous health and safety violations at the manufacturer following an inspection as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program on Amputations and Regional Emphasis Program for Powered Industrial Trucks.
"Proper safety procedures, including the effective lockout of all sources of energy, could have prevented this injury," said Area Director Condell Eastmond, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "Employers are required to train workers and ensure that they understand how to de-energize machinery before performing service or maintenance."
Twins Twins did not enact lockout/tagout procedures to prevent unintentional start-up while performing machine maintenance; provide machine guarding; anchor a miter saw; and did not notify OSHA within 24 hours of the employee's hospitalization as required by law.
The company also allowed employees to operate powered industrial trucks without training. OSHA has placed Twins Twins LLC in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
The manufacturer also has to pay a proposed $81,682 in penalties.
Twins Twins has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings.