OSHA violation exposes workers to amputation dangers

OSHA claims that Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container allowed individuals to use the machines without proper guarding. Officials believe management failed to install these safeguards because it decreased the speed at which items could be produced.

On April 15, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a press release stating it cited Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container Inc. for an alleged unsafe workplace observed during an inspection last October. The Ohio-based company was also fined $589,000.

Federal agents were tipped off about the infractions after one worker filed an anonymous complaint. OSHA reported that Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container allowed individuals to use the machines without proper guarding. Officials believe the company failed to install these safeguards because it decreased the speed at which items could be produced.

"Ball Aerosol's management made a decision to continue to expose machine operators to serious amputation hazards," stated OSHA's Chicago Regional Administrator Nick Walters. "Workers should not be asked to take such risks, and OSHA will not tolerate such disregard for worker safety."

Six willful citations were documented for the facility's lack of machine guarding to cover the blades of slitter machines. This is not the first time OSHA has come across these transgressions. That is why agents are classifying these breaches as willful. It is believed that Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container were aware of these safety hazards, but did nothing to remedy them. Failure to have machine guarding in place can result in amputation, even when work clothes like protective gloves are worn.

Three repeat violations were issued for neglecting to offer fire extinguisher training to workers, shield individuals from circulating parts and nip and pinch points and guarding the blades of machine-operated clippers.

Because of the gravity of these violations, Ball Aerosol and Specialty Container has been placed in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which subjects repeat offenders to surprise and frequent inspections. As of April 23, the Ohio company has not released whether it will pay the fine, request a meeting with OSHA officials or go through the appeals process.