US DOL's OSHA Cites Bazzini Holdings For Safety And Health Violations After Worker's Arm Amputated

Allentown, PA  (WorkersCompensation.com) – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bazzini Holdings LLC with 15 workplace safety and health violations following an incident in which a worker's arm was amputated at the company's Allentown facility. Bazzini Holdings, which employs about 250 workers at the Allentown site, manufactures fine chocolates and nut products.

OSHA's inspection, initiated in November 2011 after the agency was notified of the amputation, found three repeat, eight serious and four other-than-serious violations.

The repeat violations involve electrical hazards and uncovered projecting shafts. The same violations were cited in 2008. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

The serious violations include additional electrical hazards as well as the company's failure to use specific procedures for controlling hazardous energy; provide general machine and power transmission guarding; develop and implement a hazard communication program; and implement a hearing conservation program that includes noise engineering controls, noise monitoring, audiometric testing and hearing conservation training. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The other-than-serious violations involve missing electrical covers, unsecured machinery and personal protective equipment deficiencies. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

"Bazzini Holdings previously was cited for the same hazards and failed to correct them," said Jean Kulp, director of OSHA's Allentown Area Office, which conducted the inspection. "Employers are legally responsible for ensuring a safe and healthful workplace, and will be held liable should they fail to do so."

Proposed penalties total $56,400. Bazzini Holdings has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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