Missouri Company Fined $107K After Amputations

Metal Container Corp. in Arnold, Mo., has been cited for one willful and 13 serious violations of federal safety standards. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed penalties of $107,000 against the company.

OSHA initiated an inspection in October 2010 in response to a report of accidents at the facility, one in which an employee lost fingers in machinery and another in which an employee lost a foot in a forklift incident.

The willful citation was issued for hazards associated with unguarded machinery.

The serious citations address hazards associated with exits, flammable/combustible materials, personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout of energy sources, forklift use, machine guarding and electrical deficiencies.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director in St. Louis or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA