The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an updated National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Amputations using enforcement and injury data to assist in site selection targeting.

According to OSHA, the NEP began in 2006 and is focused towards industries with high rates of amputations.

According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, manufacturing employers report that 2,000 workers suffered amputations in 2013. The rate of amputations in the manufacturing sector was more than twice as much (1.7 per 10,000 full-time employees) as that of all private industry (0.7). OSHA says these injuries are preventable by following basic safety precautions.

"Workers injured from unguarded machinery and equipment can suffer permanent disability or lose their lives," said David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "This directive will help ensure that employers identify and eliminate serious workplace hazards and provide safe workplaces for all workers."

This directive updates the 2006 NEP on Amputations and applies to general industry workplaces in which any machinery or equipment likely to cause amputations are present. Inspections will include an evaluation of employee exposures during operations such as: clearing jams; cleaning, oiling or greasing machines or machine pans; and locking out machinery to prevent accidental start-up.

 More information can be found here.