Seaford Ice is facing $77,000 in penalties from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration after a work lost both legs below the knee.
OSHA launched an investigation on May 28, 2015, after learning of a worker amputation at Seaford Ice Inc. The agency found that the employee fell into an unguarded conveyor opening while breaking ice. The worker lost both of his legs below the knee.
Following the May incident, OSHA cited the company on November 18 for one willful, five serious and three other than serious violations. The agency, according to a release, cited the willful violation for lack of machine guards. Electrical hazards, unguarded machines, hazard communication violations and the absence of a program, which prevents the accidental start-up or movement of machinery, were among the serious violations. The other-than-serious violations involved lack of a personal protective equipment assessment and electrical violations. Proposed penalties total $77,000.
An OSHA release stated that it was the second time a worker suffered an amputation due to lack of machine guards at the company’s Seaford plant. In 2012, an employee had a foot amputated after it touched a conveyor. OSHA determined that the conveyor openings were too large, and its guard was inadequate.
“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,” said Erin G. Patterson, OSHA’s area director in Wilmington. “When employers fail to provide a safe and healthful workplace, they will be held accountable.”
To view the citations, visit: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/SeafordIceInc_1066299.pdf
Seaford Ice is an ice manufacturer that distributes its products throughout the region. Its workers’ compensation insurer is Amguard Insurance Co.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings.
