OSHA updates standards on amputation hazards in manufacturing

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a directive on December 10, 2019, updating its National Emphasis Program (NEP) focusing agency inspections on amputation hazards in manufacturing industries. These updates don’t create any new requirements for employers but focus agency enforcement on these hazards. Among other steps, the directive allows area OSHA offices to add manufacturing facilities to the master list of targeted inspection sites based on local evidence, such as OSHA incident data, employer-reported amputations, and workers’ compensation data. The emphasis program includes a three-month education and outreach period ending March 10, 2020. Following that period, enforcement activities will begin and continue until cancelled. State plans must be OSHA-approved and have enforcement procedures at least as effective as those contained in the directive.
 
Tips for Employers: Ensure all machines are properly safeguarded. See OSHA’s machine guarding webpage for compliance assistance resources, including required procedures to properly guard stationary and portable machines and tips to identify amputation hazards. Contact your Vigilant safety professional if you have any questions or need help evaluating your compliance options.