The U.S. government has fined a spice importer in Alabama after a worker lost part of his finger on Aug. 8 when his hand was trapped in machinery, a news release said.
"The incident occurred less than six months after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the global spice importer in a separate investigation for exposing workers to amputation and struck-by hazards," the news release said.
The company, iSpice LLC in Jackson, faces penalties of $146,751, OSHA said.
OSHA cited the company for failing to install machine guards to protect workers from rotating components on machinery.
iSpice also allowed employees to work on an open-sided mezzanine 12 feet above the next level without a complete guardrail system, near uncovered electrical boxes and light switches, and a machine with exposed live parts, the news release said.
In April, the company was fined $121,511 for a host of other alleged safety violations.
“Once again, this employer disregarded safety measures and their neglect resulted in a serious injury that should never have happened,” OSHA Area Director Jose Gonzalez said in statement. “Employers have a responsibility to comply with OSHA standards that are in place to keep workers safe on the job.”
The company has 15 days to either comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the findings before a review commission, the news release said.
"Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees," the news release said. "OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance."
