OSHA cites Georgia-based Piggly Wiggly franchisee for amputation

OSHA recently cited a Bowden, Georgia-based Piggly Wiggly grocery chain franchisee for safety violations. This citation was issued after a meat department worker’s fingers were amputated in a meat grinder.

On Jan. 29, RBG Foods Inc. - operating as Piggly Wiggly - assigned the worker to clean a commercial grinder. A co-worker stepped on a machine foot-control pedal that started the grinder, which pulled in the employee’s hand and  amputated four fingers.

OSHA cited the employer with willful violation for circumventing the machine’s safety guards and causing workers to be susceptible to hazards such as moving parts and flying debris. The employer also received a serious violation for not establishing a program for management of hazardous energy (lockout-tagout), and an other-than-serious violation for not reporting the amputation to OSHA within 24 hours of the incident.

OSHA issued $196,251 in proposed penalties.

The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC).