Corinth Today
CORINTH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Mississippi Polymers in Corinth for 11 “serious” safety violations.
OSHA also proposes fines totaling more than $56,0000 against the company.
Mississippi Polymers has 15 business days after receiving the citations and proposed penalties to comply with OSHA’s findings, request a conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The citations were issued Jan. 14.
OSHA said it began two inspections following two accidents at the plant last fall
On Sept. 28, a 41-year-old print tender suffered severe injury when his hand got entangled in a print roller and was crushed. Six days later on Oct. 4, a 59-year-old mill operator caught her hand in a print roller. The machine crushed her pinky finger so badly that a portion of the finger, up to the first joint, had to be amputated.
Both workers were trying to clean the machinery when the incidents happened.
OSHA cited Mississippi Polymers for exposing workers to unguarded rollers, rotating shafts and gears; failing to train workers on the specific procedures to prevent machinery from starting up during maintenance and servicing and not providing safety rails on stairs.
“This employer cannot continue to expose its employees to unguarded machinery and other serious safety hazards,” said Eugene Stewart, OSHA’s area director in Jackson. “Two workers were severely injured when protective guarding was available and could have prevented such incidents.”
Mississippi Polymers manufactures functional and decorative films used in many products such as banners and billboards. The company employs more than 160 workers in Corinth.
Be First to Comment