Federal work safety officials imposed more than $339,000 in penalties against Safeway Inc. after a worker at a Denver milk packaging plant operated by the company lost four fingers while operating a molding machine that lacked required safeguards.
Following an investigation of the Feb. 12 incident, OSHA investigated cited the U.S. supermarket chain for two willful and five serious violations and one other than serious violation for:
- Failing to implement procedures for the control of hazardous energy, including failing to develop and implement lockout/tagout procedures to prevent machines from operating unintentionally.
- Inadequate machine guarding.
- Inadequate numbers of locks to perform lockout/tagout and inadequate lockout/tagout training.
- Oil leaks on the floor exposing workers to slip and trip hazards.
OSHA Area Director Amanda Kupper in Denver said in a media release that Safeway “knew its equipment lacked safeguards, yet the company chose to let work continue without regard to workers’ safety.”
The proposed penalties total $339,379.
Safeway operates under the banner of Albertsons Companies, which has stores across 35 states and the District of Columbia under 20 recognized company names. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citation and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Source: OSHA
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