October 20, 2016
OSHA cites paper product manufacturer for lacking safety procedures
after worker suffers amputation; proposes $68K in penalties
AJM Packaging Corp. cited in October 2015 for same violation
Employer name: AJM Packaging Corp. Inspection site:569 Bowery LaneFolkston, Georgia 31537
Citations issued: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a citation to AJM Packaging Corp. on Oct. 18, 2016, for one repeated safety violation.
Investigation findings: OSHA initiated an investigation at the Folkston paper product manufacturer after being notified that an employee suffered a partial amputation to his right hand's middle finger on July 27, 2016. The 35-year-old assistant crew leader was refeeding paper into a bag machine when his finger was pulled under the feed roller and into an unguarded slitter blade.
OSHA issued the repeated citation to the employer for not developing adequate safety procedures to protect employees from the slitter blades on the bag machine. The company was cited for this same violation in October 2015 at this facility.
Proposed penalties: $68,591
Quote: "AJM Packaging was cited less than a year ago for this same violation and continues to expose workers to laceration and amputation hazards," said Margo Westmoreland, OSHA's area director in Savannah. "Employers must evaluate and correct safety and health hazards that expose workers to serious injury or death."
The citation can be viewed at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/newsroom/newsreleases/OSHA20161965.pdf
AJM Packaging manufactures paper products such as paper cups, plates, bowls and bags. The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Savannah Area Office at 912-652-4393.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
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AJM Packaging Corporation, a leading manufacturer of both private label and branded paper products, including paper plates, cups, bowls and bags, is a second generation family-owned and operated business dating back to the mid 1950's.
Originally constituted as a Detroit based distributor of paper, plastic and related products, we have long since transformed ourselves into one of the most highly respected and innovative paper converters in the country. From our seven (7) plant sites strategically located to serve our customers’ JIT requirements, we ship the nation’s leading mass, discount, grocery and drug retailers and wholesalers as well as food service, institutional and fast food companies, jobbers, distributors and re-distributors of all kinds.
Our AJM Lunch Bags and “Green Label” and “Original Heavyweights” Paper Plates are national brand leaders and dominate their respective category sales as do our equivalent private label SKU's. Our team of experienced sales professionals, backed by a superior in-house graphics department, is able to design value added retail and/or supply side products and programs to grow your business and your bottom line.