Case Study: You Are The Health And Safety Manager At ABC Man

Case Studyyou Are The Health And Safety Manager At Abc Manufacturing L

Case Study You are the health and safety manager at ABC Manufacturing located at 123 Kingsway Industrial Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46235. On June 17th at 8:00 am, you are called to a health and safety incident in department 284 Machine Tooling and Operation. Upon arrival, it appears that Janice Wittle, a first-shift employee who starts work at 6:30 am, has cut off her pinky finger from her left hand. Last week, there was a similar incident where Bob Thomas cut off the tip of his middle finger on the same machine. He was off from work for 7 days.

Janice, born in 1969 on August 1st, has already been taken to Mother Marys Healing Hospital at 777 Golden Rod Road, Indianapolis, IN 46777. While she is being treated, you begin interviewing other employees to understand what led to the injury. An employee reports that around 7:45 am, just before the accident, Janice was loading a new tray of parts into the machine and briefly looked away as a loose part fell on the floor. Upon inspection, you find that the guard for the rotating blade is missing. You immediately lock and tag out the machine for further investigation. You later learn that Janice suffered a clean cut, with her finger fully reattached. Doctors suggest she will regain full mobility in three weeks but should stay home for at least four weeks for recovery and medication effects.

Janice will remain hospitalized for a week for observation and has been granted six weeks of paid sick leave. She is 50 years old and has worked at the plant since its opening 20 years ago in June.

Questions

1. Complete the OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses), and Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report) based on this incident.
2. How many total incidents, including this one, have happened in this department?
3. What is the root problem of this particular situation?
4. Should you investigate further into why the guard was removed or missing? Why or why not?
5. What actions should be implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future?

Paper For Above instruction

The incident at ABC Manufacturing involving Janice Wittle underscores the critical importance of workplace safety, particularly regarding machine operation safeguards and proactive safety management. This case offers a vivid illustration of how lapses in safety procedures and equipment maintenance can lead to serious injury, emphasizing the need for thorough incident reporting, root cause analysis, and preventive strategies to ensure worker safety.

First, completing the OSHA forms accurately is essential for documenting the incident and complying with federal safety regulations. OSHA Form 300, the Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, should record this injury as a medical treatment case involving a multiple-day away from work (since Janice will be off for at least four weeks). The injury should be classified as a serious cut involving significant tissue damage, arising from a machine-related incident involving the open blade. OSHA Form 300A summarizes this injury for reporting purposes, indicating the incident occurred in June, the injury involved an amputation of a finger, and the incident resulted mainly from missing safety guards. OSHA Form 301 provides a detailed report of the incident, including how Janice was loading parts, looked away, and slipped her finger into the open blade, which was unguarded at the time.

In assessing the total incidents in this department, considering the recent history of injuries involving finger amputations on the same machine, it appears there have been at least two incidents—one last week and this recent event. The recurrence suggests a systemic safety issue that requires attention beyond individual employee errors. It also indicates that hazards associated with the machine are not adequately controlled or understood.

The root cause of this incident appears to be multiple failure points. Primarily, the missing guard on the rotary blade was a critical safety failure. The absence of this guard directly exposed employees to a severe risk. The fact that there was a prior incident on this same machine, with a previous employee losing a finger tip, indicates negligence in maintaining safety measures and possibly inadequate safety protocols or training. Additionally, the employee involved, Janice, was loading parts and looking away, which suggests a lack of proper operational procedures or reinforcement of safety practices, such as not verifying that guards are in place before operation.

Further investigation into why the guard was removed or missing is imperative. Understanding whether it was intentionally removed, lost, or improperly maintained can inform corrective actions. If it was intentionally removed or tampered with, this could reflect a deeper safety culture issue or neglect of safety responsibilities. If it was lost or damaged, the company needs to evaluate its maintenance and inspection procedures. Allowing such a vital safety feature to be absent puts employees at unnecessary risk, and failure to follow up on previous incidents indicates a systemic problem that must be addressed proactively.

Preventive actions should include implementing strict machine safety protocols requiring that all safety guards are in place and functional before operation. Regular inspections and maintenance schedules should be enforced to ensure safety devices are not removed or damaged. Safety training programs should reinforce the importance of machine guards and safe operational procedures, ensuring employees are aware of hazards and their role in maintaining safety. Additionally, establishing a safety reporting system encourages employees to report missing or damaged equipment immediately, preventing potential injuries. Management should foster a safety culture that prioritizes hazard identification and correction, with clear accountability measures if safety procedures are bypassed or ignored.

Furthermore, considering the recurrence of similar injuries, management may consider engineering controls such as installing interlock systems that prevent machine operation unless guards are correctly in place. Administrative controls, such as rotating employees to avoid complacency and ensuring supervisors conduct routine safety checks, are equally important. This incident also highlights the necessity of comprehensive incident investigations to identify all contributing factors and prevent future accidents.

In conclusion, this incident at ABC Manufacturing demonstrates the necessity of robust safety management processes, including accurate incident reporting, root cause analysis, procedural enforcement, and a proactive safety culture. By addressing the systemic issues revealed by this injury—particularly missing safety guards—employers can significantly reduce the risk of future injuries and promote a safer working environment for all employees.

References

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