OSHA cites Paterson box maker after worker is hurt when crushed by machine

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Accurate Box Co. Inc. in Paterson after a worker was crushed in a die cutting machine. OSHA is proposing more than $40,000 in penalties for violations related to the May 2014 investigation of the incident.According to OSHA, the accident happened when a veteran employee of the company entered the die cutter to perform maintenance, and another employee — unaware the first worker was inside — activated the machine. The first worker suffered severe internal injuries after being crushed.

“This case clearly highlights why lockout/tagout and machine guarding measures are essential, especially in preventing amputation and crushing injuries,” Lisa Levy, director of OSHA’s Hasbrouck Heights Area Office, said in a prepared statement.

OSHA cited Accurate Box for one repeat violation, carrying a $13,860 penalty, and four serious violations, carrying a $27,720 penalty. This was the third time OSHA has cited the maker of corrugated cardboard boxes since 2010 over machine guarding and lockout/tagout issues at its Paterson manufacturing plant, the agency said.

Accurate Box had 15 business days from receipt of the citations to either comply with or contest the investigation’s findings, or meet with the area director.

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