LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – An influx of amputation reports submitted by employers led Arkansas public safety officials in collaboration with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to launch the Arkansas Amputation Prevention Stand-Down program from Sept. 14 through Sept. 29.
Amputation Stand-Down is a program aimed at more than 5,000 Arkansas workers in industries where amputation hazards exist. Activities for the program include employee training, inspections of machinery where amputation risks exist; review of lockout/tagout procedures and review of all work procedures conducted in and around machine points of operation.
An OSHA fact sheet states that workplace amputations are widespread and most commonly occur when workers operate unguarded or improperly safeguarded equipment such as food slicers, meat grinders, printing presses and other equipment. The Arkansas Department of Labor (ADOL) reported that general machine guarding has led the Little Rock OSHA Office’s list of the most frequently violated workplace standards in the state.
New federal reporting requirements that mandate employers report an amputation within 24 hours have enabled ADOL and the Little Rock OSHA office to track and examine trends regarding where and how the injuries are occurring.
Amputation Stand-Down events are free and open to the public. Companies or organizations interested in participating in the Stand-Down may contact an ADOL OSHA consultation representative at 501-682-4523 or ncoleman@dol.gov for more information.
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