Ohio Manufacturer Faces $182K Fine for Workers’ Amputations

U.S. Department of Labor inspectors found a Cleveland, Ohio bakeware manufacturer failed to prevent two workers from suffering injuries that resulted in amputations, incidents that could have been avoided with proper safety measures.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the two incidents that led to the amputation injuries and found G&S Metal Products Co. did not equip its machinery with adequate guarding or enforce critical safety protocols, including establishing proper lockout/tagout procedures, and failed to provide effective employee training in machine safety.

The first incident occurred on June 25, 2024, when a 37-year-old employee sustained an amputation injury while operating a power press.

The press cycled unexpectedly as the worker was servicing the machine, exposing the operator to hazardous moving parts. Inspectors determined the press’s pullbacks were not properly secured, contributing to the injury.

Two weeks later, on July 11, 2024, a 64-year-old worker – on the job just four months – suffered an amputation while clearing scrap from a mechanical power press.

The die on the machine closed without warning, leading to the injury. Investigators found that the machine lacked adequate guarding and was not locked out to prevent operation during maintenance.

OSHA cited G&S Metal Products Co. for one willful violation and five serious violations, assessing $182,000 in proposed penalties.

Founded in 1949, G&S Metal Products Co. Inc. manufactures commercial and consumer bakeware pans, kitchen gadgets and accessories for worldwide distribution.

Topics Ohio Manufacturing