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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed fines of $105,000 for an Ohio manufacturing company after a 62-year-old machine operator crushed her hand in an unguarded hydraulic press. According to OSHA, the company failed to utilize safeguards that could have prevented the accident. The woman, a 15-year employee of the company, has undergone three surgeries to repair damage to her hand and has been unable to return to work.
In some cases, unguarded machines can result in accidents involving amputations, causing permanent disability. Unfortunately, these types of work accidents are commonplace. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that between 1,600 and 2,000 hydraulic press operators are injured in work accidents involving amputations annually.
Current OSHA regulations require machine-guarding devices that help prevent contact with “points of operation”. Points of operation refer to the working areas of machinery. Devices that interrupt machines from operating when hands or limbs are in the point of operation areas can help prevent amputations and other serious work injuries.
Can Injured Workers With Amputations Receive Disability Benefits?
In some cases, amputations will result in permanent disability, and injured workers will be unable to return to their occupations. Qualifying for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) can be a difficult process and requires proof workers are unable to return to their jobs. Workers’ comp attorneys can help injured workers navigate through this difficult process.
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Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC – Columbus Workers’ Comp Attorneys