Training

Preventing Amputations: Training

On just his second day on the job, a 28-year-old man working on a machine to forge parts lost a fingertip in a November 2014 incident. Investigators said it could have been prevented if his employer had trained the man to properly operate the upsetter machine and if the machine had proper safety mechanisms.

The OSHA inspection determined that the worker’s employer, an iron and steel forging company, failed to train the worker in how to safely operate the machine, which also lacked adequate safety mechanisms. As a result of its investigation, OSHA cited the company with 23 serious safety violations and has proposed penalties of $80,500.

Keep reading to find out what sort of training could have helped to prevent this amputation.

Machinery Hazard Training

Here’s what workers need to know before they begin working with any piece of dangerous machinery:

Make sure that the machine is operating properly before you begin work:

  • Inspect equipment before use to be sure it’s in good working order.
  • Check that all scheduled maintenance has been performed.
  • Keep the machine lubricated and clean, or alert the proper person when it’s time for those tasks.


Think you have no time to train? Think again. BLR’s 7-Minute Safety Trainer helps you fulfill key OSHA-required training tasks in as little as 7 minutes. Try it at no cost and see!


To operate machines correctly and safely:

  • Follow instructions provided by training and the manufacturer’s manual.
  • Never skip steps.
  • Make sure you have enough lighting to see controls clearly.
  • Keep your hands and other body parts away from moving machine parts.
  • Use tools, not your hands, to feed materials into (and remove materials from) machines.
  • Don’t try to operate machinery when under the influence of alcohol or drugs—or prescribed medications.


Effective, 7-minute sessions providing comprehensive safety training at an average cost of $1 a day. Get the details.


  • Wear assigned personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses or hearing protection.
  • Avoid loose clothing, long hair, or jewelry that could get caught in the machine.
  • Give the job your full attention, no matter how often you’ve done it.
  • Know how to turn off the equipment safely if there’s a problem.
  • Turn off and report any machine that moves, makes unusual noises, or is not functioning properly.

Need more detailed training outlines and handouts for workers? Safety.BLR.com has you covered.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.