Del Monte fined $223K after worker suffers partial finger amputation

OSHA has cited a Del Monte Foods cannery for its lack of machine guarding and safety instruction after a worker suffered a partial finger amputation. The employee was trying to fix a jam in an unguarded palletizer machine, a routine occurrence at the facility, when the incident happened. OSHA investigators determined that workers had not been properly trained to safely control energy sources while unjamming machines. In addition, the facility also suffered from a lack of handrails and anti-slip coatings which could potentially lead to falls and other injuries. Del Monte faces eight safety violations and $222,779 in penalties.

In a recent quote, OSHA Area Director Robert Bonack said, "Del Monte Foods Inc. is aware of the importance of training their seasonal workers on machine safety procedures and making sure required machine safeguards are in place. If the company had followed OSHA safety standards, they could have prevented this young worker from needlessly suffering a lifelong disabling injury.”