Amputation, crushing injuries lead to workplace safety citations, fines

Companies in Ohio and Wisconsin have been cited by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration after workers suffered amputations and crushing injuries.

OSHA announced Tuesday that it cited Greeley, Colorado-based beef processing plant operator JBS Green Bay Inc. after an employee suffered severe crushing injuries to his right index and middle fingers while removing a shackle from a cow that was moving down a trolley line at the company’s Green Bay, Wisconsin, plant.

The company failed to install proper guarding to protect trolley line workers from pinch points, OSHA stated.

JBS, which produces meat products in Australia, the U.S. and Canada, was cited for four repeat, four serious, and two other-than-serious violations and issued proposed fines of $227,786.

Separately, OSHA announced Tuesday that it cited Orrville, Ohio-based Quality Castings Co. for one willful and one serious safety violation, and proposed $171,884 in penalties, after a worker’s right thumb was amputated in February while operating a molding machine.

OSHA said the company failed to lock out the core mold machine’s operating parts during service and maintenance, and that the lack of protection led to the worker’s hand getting caught by the rotating mold as they adjusted the flame on the machine, which is used for metal casting.

Both businesses have 15 days to contest the respective citations.