Commission Issues Decision in AJM Packaging Corporation, OSHRC Docket No. 16-1865

AJM Packaging Corporation manufactures paper plates and bowls at its facility in Vineland, New Jersey. In May 2016, an employee suffered an amputation injury while clearing a paper jam on one of the facility’s machines. As a result of the incident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected the facility and issued AJM a one-item, four-instance repeat citation alleging a violation of a provision of the lockout/tagout (LOTO) standard, 29 C.F.R. § 1910.147(c)(4)(i). Following a hearing, Administrative Law Judge William S. Coleman vacated the citation in its entirety. Only Instance (d) of the alleged violation is at issue before the Commission. For the reasons discussed below, we affirm the judge and vacate Instance (d).