Work Accident that Cut Off Cordova Man’s Fingers Was Preventable, OSHA Says

A 45-year-old fabrication worker in Cordova, Illinois lost part of three fingers on his left hand when using a table saw that lacked the appropriate guard protections, officials at the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) have recently reported.

This work accident occurred back in June at Material Control Systems, Inc., a company that makes reusable shipping containers. While medical professionals were reportedly able to reattach most of the detached fingers, part of the man’s middle finger had to be amputated following this accident. He reportedly has not been able to return to work since this accident.

According to OSHA investigators, Material Control Systems has been issued one willful safety violation as a result of this accident, and it will have to pay $63,000 in penalties (unless the citation is overturned for some reason in the future).

Commenting on this accident and OSHA case, the OSHA director in Peoria, Thomas Bielema, has stated that:

The injury could permanently affect this man’s ability to earn a living… Had Material Control Systems installed machine guards to prevent the worker’s hand from contacting the saw, he would not have suffered. Each year, thousands of workers are injured on -the -job because their employers fail to follow safety rules.

Material Control Systems reportedly has to respond to the OSHA citation by Friday, September 25^th, at which time the company can either:

• Pay the fine and comply with the OSHA directives (regarding addressing the lack of guards around saws and other equipment);
• Request an informal conference with OSHA officials; or
• Contest OSHA’s citation and findings.

Lack of Guards on Machinery Is a Top OSHA Violation

The failure to provide the necessary guards around machinery like table saws is one of the most common citations OSHA officials issue year in and year. The only other employer violations for which more OSHA citations are issued, according to officials, include citations for:

• A lack of fall protections
• Improper hazard communications
• Scaffolding safety issues
• A lack of respiratory protection for workers
• Violations related to powered industrial trucks
• Lockout/tagout violations
• Ladder use violations
• Electrical or wiring violations.

Mount Vernon Workers Compensation Attorney at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

If you have been hurt in a work accident or have been diagnosed with an occupational illness, an experienced Mount Vernon workers compensation attorney at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. is ready to stand up for your rights to workers compensation benefits. Since 1950, our lawyers have been providing injured workers with the highest quality legal services to help them:

• Succeed in obtaining benefits the first time they submit claims
• Fight wrongful denials or terminations of benefits so they are able to secure the benefits they likely deserve.

To find out more about how we can help you secure workers’ compensation benefits, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.