US Department of Labor investigation of worker amputation finds Ohio carpet manufacturer again ignored safety standards

Summary:

On June 23, 2023, an employee at UGN Inc.'s Ohio automotive carpet manufacturing plant sustained a partial finger amputation while conducting cleaning operations. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated the incident and found that the company had not provided or required machine-specific lockout procedures for machinery, leading to exposure to rotating drums, hot air boxes, and burn boxes. OSHA cited the company for 7 violations, including repeat and serious violations, and proposed $234,376 in penalties. The company, which produces acoustic and thermal management products for the automotive industry, was also placed in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program, indicating a history of repeated safety violations.