LEBANON, Mo. (AP) — A barrel-making company in southwest Missouri where five amputations were reported in a 14-month period is facing thousands of dollars in fines.
Federal regulations announced proposed fines of more than $413,000 Friday against Missouri Cooperage Company, a subsidiary of the Independent Stave Company in Lebanon.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the company exposed employees to amputation, noise and other safety and health hazards.
The Springfield News-Leader reports OSHA inspected Missouri Cooperage in February after an employee’s finger was amputated. The company was cited for the same violation in February 2018.
Missouri Cooperage said in a prepared statement that its accident rate is well below the national average for manufacturers of similar size. The statement says the company shares OSHA’s mission of championing employee safety.
