Investigation into amputation finds Texas employer again ignored machine safety procedures
OSHA proposes fines of $227K to Carpenter Co. for willful, repeated safety violations
A federal workplace safety investigation into how an employee suffered serious injuries in January 2022 at a Temple, Texas manufacturing facility operated by Carpenter Co. – one of the nation’s largest cushion manufacturers – found the company had not installed adequate machine guards or locking devices on a hot laminating machine to protect workers from unsafe contact with the machine’s operating parts.
The worker was trying to clear debris in a hot laminating machine when their right forearm became caught. The severe nature of the injuries led to a partial amputation of the forearm.