Four workers suffer broken arms at Ohio plastics factory
No machine guarding on winder machine despite multiple injuries
Optimum Plastics Inc. has been cited by OSHA after four workers suffered forearm fractures while operating winder machines with inadequate guarding at the company's Delaware packaging plant. The agency has cited three safety violations carrying proposed penalties of $81,000.
On May 16, 2012, an employee had his left arm pulled into the machine, resulting in the fracture of both bones in his left forearm. Similar injuries occurred in January, February and April of this year, which resulted in fractured bones in the forearms of three other employees. During the March complaint inspection, company injury reports and medical records were reviewed, and OSHA determined that at least 15 less severe injuries occurred to employees operating winder machines at the company during the past five years.