Rhode Island Plant Cited, Fined after Worker Injured

Federal regulators cited and fined a manufacturing company in Lincoln, R.I. where a worker was severely injured in an industrial accident last year.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration blamed Packaging Concepts, which makes furniture and display cases, for failing to safeguard the machine where the worker was trapped and injured in December.

OSHA proposed fines of $21,000.

Leonardo Cos Elias lost his leg, buttock and half his pelvis in the accident. He is still being treated at a rehabilitation hospital.

Marc Zaken, a lawyer for Packaging Company, says there was a warning sign on the machine. The worker speaks a Mayan dialect but does not read or write in any language.

Zaken says the manufacturer has taken steps to prevent future accidents.

Source: The Providence Journal.