OSHA cites East Side stamping company for amputations, serious safety hazards
A machine sheared off the tip of a worker’s thumb during a recent federal inspection at a local stamping plant.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Stampcoat Inc.’s El Paso Tool & Die plant for 33 citations were issued — 32 of them serious.
OSHA also fined Stampcoat for $119,000 on Monday.
The violations included failures to properly safeguard workers against trap and impact hazards, properly shut down machinery during servicing and maintenance, and train workers on using personal protective equipment such as hearing, hand and respiratory equipment. Other violations included blocked and unmarked exit. The company was also cite for having broken down vehicle deemed unsafe on the premises.
“For somebody working with a die stamp, a proper machine guard can mean the difference between keeping your fingers or losing them.” said Diego Alvarado Jr., OSHA’s area director in El Paso. “The violations at this facility led to two workers being permanently injured. OSHA’s standards addressing these hazards have existed for decades, and the failure to follow these most basic safety requirements is unacceptable.”
OSHA conducted the inspection under its National Emphasis Program on Amputations after an unguarded machine crushed a worker’s index and middle finger and amputated part of his ring finger. During the inspection, a machine sheared off the tip of another worker’s thumb.
Stampcoat — headquartered at 10863 Pellicano Dr. in Far East El Paso — fabricates stamped metal components for equipment manufacturers and employs about 98 workers. The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To view a list of citations, click here.
