Seaford Ice Inc. faces OSHA violations
Nine violations are being pinned on Seaford Ice Inc. due to it’s lack of safety measures.
In May, federal investigators from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration tell 47 ABC they began their investigation into the company after learning that an employee got caught in an unguarded screw conveyor. A machine that’s located in the floor and consists of rotating blades.
That employee reportedly had to get their legs amputated from the knee down. This incident apparently wasn’t the first like this at the business.
In 2012, an employee had a foot amputated after a similar incident with the same machine.
“the guarding on the same piece of equipment was inadequate in that case, and removed completely in this case.”, Said Erin Patterson, OSHA’s Wilmington Director.
Officials from OSHA say that had an effective lockout/tagout program in place the most recent incident may have been avoided.
“A lockout/tagout program is designed to ensure that all power sources to equipment are secured, turned off prior to a maintenance activity.”
Of the nine penalties Seaford Ice is facing, one is classified as willing, which is the most severe. Federal officials claim the employer knew of the risks facing employees under existing conditions.
Five other issues were found in the building and were classified as serious, meaning that, if not corrected, they could result in injury or even death.
Three other issues were found, but they weren’t considered serious, meaning the company violated standards but those violations wouldn’t harm any of the employees.
In total, the violations will likely cost the company $77,000.
The citations were filed on November 18th and officials say the company has 15 business days to either comply or appeal.
47 ABC reached out to Seaford Ice, the company says that this won’t have any effect on business.
Patterson says if you work in Delaware and are concerned about potentially dangerous conditions in your workplace, contact her office at 302 – 573 – 6518.
