CINCINNATI -- Federal officials cited Cincinnati-based Klosterman Baking Co. for failing to change its safety procedures after an employee lost part of his arm while cleaning a machine, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
A 28-year-old maintenance worker was using an air wand to remove bread crumbs from a machine and conveyor belt May 29 at the company's East Ross Avenue facility when he was injured, resulting in the amputation of his right arm just below the elbow, OSHA announced Thursday.
Ken Montgomery, OSHA's area director in Cincinnati, said Klosterman failed to follow required safety procedures that required operating parts to be isolated, resulting in the man's "debilitating injury."
Federal safety inspectors visited the facility in July and found workers cleaning the same wrapper machine without locking out operating parts, potentially exposing them to similar injuries, according to OSHA.
"Just as tragic is the fact that the company failed to re-evaluate its machine safety procedures and continued to expose other workers to the same hazard even after this young man lost part of his arm," Montgomery said. "Klosterman needs to make immediate changes to its safety procedures and protect workers on the job."
OSHA has proposed penalties of $146,979 for Klosterman for one willful violation and two serious violations of safety standards.
Klosterman has 15 days to comply or contest the citations. A company representative wasn't immediately available to comment.
Anyone can report issues or ask questions by calling OSHA at 800-321-6742 or the Cincinnati Area Office at 513-841-4132.
Read the full citation below:
OSHA 20162132 by James on Scribd
