Washington – A recently released OSHA fact sheet on preventing amputations from food slicers and meat grinders incorporates findings from the agency’s new injury reporting requirements.
The recordkeeping rule, which went into effect Jan. 1, requires employers to report to OSHA all work-related amputations within 24 hours.
Food slicers and grinders can cause serious cuts and amputations, and at least 4,000 incidents involving meat slicers in 2013 resulted in lost workdays, according to OSHA.
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Employers with slicers and grinders must comply with the Machine Guarding, Hand Protection and Lockout/Tagout standards. To prevent injuries, including amputations, the fact sheet recommends:
- Providing employees with appropriate hand protection
- Turning food slicers off when changing foods
- Keeping the hand away from meat grinders’ sharp edges by using a cleaning device with a handle
- Training employees on what to do if a safeguard is damaged, missing or unable to provide adequate protection
