Plastics manufacturer fined $292K after worker is pulled into bagging machine and dies
Jan. 30, 2023
In August 2022, a worker was killed while trying to clear a jam in a bagging machine.
OSHA has fined Great Lakes Polymer Technologies LLC $292,421 following the death of an employee. In August 2022, a worker was killed while trying to clear a jam in a bagging machine. According to OSHA, tape was placed over the safety interlock, which prevented the machine from shutting down when the worker was pulled into the machine’s moving parts. The company has been cited for one repeat violation and seven serious violations.
In a recent quote, OSHA Area Director Todd Underwood said, “Proper machine safety procedures and training could have prevented this worker from losing his life. The manufacturing industry knows well that moving machine parts can be deadly, especially when proper guards are not used, and safety procedures are ignored.”
Protecting electrical controls and equipment within food and beverage plants presents unique challenges due to the sanitation requirements of the hygienic environment.
