OSHA: Suburban manufacturer cited after worker loses part of finger

A west suburban auto parts manufacturer is facing $89,000 in fines after safety violations led to a worker losing part of his finger, federal workplace safety officials said.

Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected Carol Stream-based FIC America Corp. in January after the incident, the agency said in a statement.

The 58-year-old employee’s fingertip was amputated after it became caught in a pinch point while he was servicing a machine, the statement said.

Investigators found FIC did not use safety procedures and locking devices to prevent the machine from operating during service and maintenance, the statement said.

OSHA issued the company 11 safety violations, eight of which involved failing to protect workers from machinery operating parts by installing guards or training them on safety procedures, the statement said.

The violations carry proposed penalties of $89,000, the statement said.

FIC is a subsidiary of Futaba Industrial Co. Ltd., based in Japan. It manufactures mufflers, exhaust systems and other auto parts for Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan and other major automakers, OSHA said.

A separate inspection on Jan. 7 resulted in another set of citations for failing to protect workers from fall hazards, OSHA said. The company already paid $7,000 to resolve those citations.