OSHA investigating Milwaukee Valve after recent accidents

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.wiscnews.com/spe/news/272255

By Brian Bridgeford/Capital Newspapers

A Milwaukee Valve Co. employee lost two fingertips late last month and a company representative said the man put his fingers in a machine despite posted warnings.

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are inspecting the plant, located in the Prairie du Sac industrial park, but won't release details. OSHA also has ongoing negotiations with the company to resolve two violations filed after the workplace death of 29-year-old Patrick D. Schrader of Baraboo last year.


Photo by Todd Krysiak/Sauk Prairie Eagle

The Milwaukee Valve manufacturing plant in the Prairie du Sac industrial park has become the subject of an Occupational Safety and Health Admini- stration investigation.


On the afternoon of Jan. 25, an employee put his hand into a blast dust collector on a machine, said attorney Bill McCardell of Madison, who is acting as spokesman for the company. The employee lost parts of two fingers above the first knuckle, though McCardell said he could not say which fingers or which hand was injured.

McCardell declined to comment on the matter shortly after the incident, stating that he wanted to gather more information and wait until tests were done on the employee. The company is continuing an investigation into the accident, he said Thursday, including possible disciplinary action against the employee.

McCardell could not say whether the employee would continue working at the company. A few days after the accident, he said the employee's injuries were not very serious and the employee wanted to return to work.

FULL story at link.