OSHA has launched an investigation into Seaford Ice Inc. out of Seaford, Del. after a worker fell into an unguarded conveyor opening on May 28th while he was breaking ice.  The result of the fall was that he needed to have both of his legs amputated below the knee.

This is not the first time that a worker at the company had to have a limb amputated because of a lack of machine guarding.  Back in 2012 a worker required his foot to be amputated after it touched a conveyor.  OSHA found that the conveyors openings were too large and the guards were too small.

On November 18th OSHA cited Seaford Ice for one willful, five serious, and three less than serious violations. OSHA found electrical hazards, unguarded machines, communication violations and the absence of lockout tags which prevent accidental movement of machinery were causes for the serious violations.  OSHA proposed penalties of $77,000.

“Seaford Ice disregarded employee safety by not ensuring a proper guard on the conveyor belt, leading to a preventable amputation. This is unacceptable considering the company knew after the 2012 incident that the machine lacked safeguards to protect workers. Despite this warning, Seaford chose to expose workers to hazards, and a second employee was needlessly injured. When employers fail to provide a safe and healthful workplace, they will be held accountable.”said Eric Patterson, area director for OSHA in Wilmington, DE.

Source: EHS Today