OSHA cites Triple P following accident

VERONA — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Triple P Farms Inc. for four safety violations.

OSHA opened an inspection in February after an incident in which a worker had both legs amputated when his foot got caught in a baling machine as he attempted to clear cardboard that had jammed in the machine at MTD Products in Verona.

Clyde Payne, OSHA’s area director in Jackson, said, “A lockout/tagout program should have been in place for equipment like the baling machine, in order to protect workers from serious injury or death.”

One willful violation was cited for failing to develop an energy control program for employees performing servicing and maintenance on equipment.

Three serious violations include: failing to provide energy control training; failing to certify that each forklift operator had been trained and evaluated; and, allowing the fixed stairs’ height and width to be uneven.

The worker was employed by Triple P Farms to perform waste disposal and recycling. Triple P Farms was assigned as a contractor to MTD Manufacturing. Triple P Farms is a recycling company located in Glen.

MTD Manufacturing was not cited for any OSHA violations.

Proposed penalties total $73,500. Triple P Farms, which recycles corrugated cardboard, plastics and wooden pallets, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA