OSHA Inspection: KX INDUSTRIES, L.P.

Issued

Dec 19, 2005

Abate by

Dec 27, 2005

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $3,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970:  The
employer did not
furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from
recognized hazards that
were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
employees, in that the
employees were exposed to the hazard of severe cuts or amputation of
fingers:
Q.C. Department:  The work station of the DeWalt 12-inch Compound Miter
Saw, Model DW
705, was inappropriate, causing the operator's hands to be in an awkward
position by "crossing"
the left hand under the right hand to hold the pieces being cut.
On or about October 14, 2005, an operator of the saw sustained amputation
to the fourth and
fifth fingers of the left hand while cutting carbon filter tubes using the
"method" described
above.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the
hazard is to:
1. Re-design the work station by relocating the "stop-block" to the
"right" side of the cutting
head of the saw or Relocating the "handle" of the saw to the opposite side
from the cutting head
so that the operators do not have to "cross" their hands.
2. Install "clamping device(s)" to hold the pieces and "two-hand control
device(s)" to activate
the saw.
3. Train and instruct the operators in the safe methods of operating the
saw.
4. Utilize other engineering feasibility and technology.