A longtime employee at Accurate Box Co., Inc. in Paterson, N.J. sustained severe internal injuries after entering a die cutting machine to do maintenance – and being crushed when the machine was activated by another employee who was unaware that the victim was inside.

OSHA’s subsequent investigation found that Accurate Box failed to prevent inadvertent machine startup and similar incidents because it had not implemented an effective lockout/tagout program – something it was cited for twice previously at its manufacturing plant.

According to its website, Accurate Box Company’s 300,000 square foot facility “is equipped with state of the art technology and equipment.”

"This case clearly highlights why lockout/tagout and machine guarding measures are essential, especially in preventing amputation and crushing injuries," said Lisa Levy, director of OSHA's Hasbrouck Heights Area Office. "If OSHA's safety standards for machinery were implemented, this incident would not have occurred."

OSHA found that machine guarding was not provided to protect the machine operator, and it cited the employer for one repeat violation, carrying a $13,860 penalty. Additionally, four serious violations related to lockout/tagout deficiencies were cited. These violations carry a $27,720 penalty.