Cal/OSHA Cites L.A. Food Manufacturer Following Finger Amputation

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 | 0

California workplace safety regulators fined a food manufacturer and a staffing agency a combined $305,685 after a temporary worker lost two fingers cleaning machinery at a facility in Los Angeles.

The worker was an employee of Priority Workforce Inc. and was assigned to work for JSL Foods Inc., which makes and distributes noodles, pasta and baked goods. While cleaning a dough rolling machine, the worker’s left hand was partially pulled into moving rollers, and two of his fingers were amputated.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, more commonly known as Cal/OSHA, said its investigation found the machine was not adequately guarded to prevent fingers from entering pinch points. Cal/OSHA also said the machine was not shut down and locked out while it was being cleaned.

Neither employer instructed the worker to follow lockout/tagout procedures before trying to clean the machine.

Cal/OSHA cited JSL Foods $276,435, a penalty based in part on one willful repeat serious violation and one willful repeat serious accident-related violation for not abiding lockout/tagout procedures. The company was cited twice for the same violations in 2015.

Priority Workforce was fined $29,250 for violations including failure to establish and maintain an effective injury and illness prevention program.