Musical instrument manufacturer fined $273K after worker suffers finger-tip amputation

An OSHA investigation has determined that Conn-Selmer Inc., a musical instrument manufacturer, reported six amputation injuries in the past eight years. According to the agency, this rate is four times higher than the industry average. The most recent injury occurred when an employee was setting up a machine die inside a press used to manufacture sousaphones and suffered a finger-tip amputation. The company was cited for three repeat and three serious violations. These violations include failing to implement lockout/tagout programs, a lack of machine guarding, and failing to properly train workers. Because of these repeat violations, Conn-Selmer was placed in the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program and faces $273,447 in fines. 

In a recent quote, OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts said, "Conn-Selmer must address their higher-than-average injury rate and protect their workers from machine hazards by properly guarding all machinery, training workers and using lockout/tagout procedures, as required by law. During previous OSHA investigations Conn-Selmer has added machine guarding and conducted additional employee training, but workers are still getting injured. The company must do a better job and make a complete and thorough review of all their machine processes to ensure worker safety."