August 16, 2018

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Ohio Tool Manufacturer
After Employee Suffers Amputation

WOOSTER, OH – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited ArtiFlex Manufacturing for exposing workers at its Wooster location to amputation hazards after an employee suffered a partial finger amputation. The company faces $213,411 in proposed penalties.

OSHA investigators determined that the tool and manufacturing servicer failed to adequately guard pinch points on a conveyor belt. OSHA cited the company for similar violations at the same location in 2016, and has placed ArtiFlex Manufacturing in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

"This employer's repeated failure to adequately guard machine operating parts put workers at risk for serious injuries," said OSHA Area Office Director Howard Eberts, in Cleveland. "Employers are required to install and maintain machine guards to protect workers from amputation hazards."

Artiflex Manufacturing has 15 business days from receipt of the citations 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.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to help ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

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Media Contacts:

Scott Allen, 312-353-4727, allen.scott@dol.gov
Rhonda Burke, 312-353-6976, burke.rhonda@dol.gov

Release Number: 18-1016-CHI

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).