OSHA – US Department of Labor – National Emphasis Program targeting Amputations
Posted: Jan 31, 2020
US Department of Labor
Greetings:
Amputations hazards continue to cause serious injuries and deaths every year. In an attempt to eliminate these catastrophic, yet preventable events, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised its National Emphasis Program (NEP) targeting Amputations in Manufacturing Industries and will be increasing compliance assistance efforts and enforcement inspections.
OSHA’s enforcement history shows that employees are often injured when machinery or equipment is not properly guarded or when hazardous energy is not controlled during maintenance or servicing.
This NEP targets industrial and manufacturing workplaces having machinery and equipment that can potentially cause amputations. To assist employers in their efforts to identify and correct these hazards, your local Area Office is available to answer questions and concerns.
As part of this renewed emphasis program, compliance assistance products are readily available to assist companies in enhancing their safety and health program. OSHA’s Machine Guarding and Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) webpages provides compliance assistance resources to help employers identify amputation hazards, follow required procedures to properly guard stationary and portable machines, as well as provide guidance to implement an energy control program.
OSHA also funds a free consultation program under Section 21(d) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act for small employers. The consultation program helps employers identify and correct hazardous conditions at their worksites, as well as improve occupational safety and health management systems. These programs are well staffed with highly trained safety and health professionals. To schedule an on-site consultation visit, please contact your local consultation program (Consultation Directory)
The Amputations in Manufacturing Industries NEP became effective on December 12, 2019, beginning with a three-month period of education and prevention outreach. During this time, OSHA will also continue to investigate complaints, referrals, hospitalizations, and fatalities.
Remember that employees working on unguarded or not properly locked and tagged out machinery and equipment can suffer permanent disabilities, or even lose their life. There are safety standards that when properly implemented will help ensure that employers control and prevent serious hazards and provide safe workplaces for all workers.
Thank you for your interest in protecting the safety and health of our workforce.
Kurt A. Petermeyer
