SELBYVILLE, Del. – Mountaire Farms Inc. is facing $39,762 in proposed penalties after an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uncovered musculoskeletal stressors and other safety hazards.

OSHA investigated Mountaire Farms’ poultry processing plant in Selbyville, Delaware, after the company reported that a worker suffered a finger amputation while operating a packaging machine. OSHA inspectors found serious violations associated with electrical and process safety management hazards. The agency said deficiencies with the procedures meant to prevent accidental machine start-up or movement, known as lockout/tagout, contributed to the amputation.

OSHA also cited the company for exposing workers to musculoskeletal stressors as they performed tasks “requiring repetitive, forceful motion for extended periods of time, and often in awkward positions,” the agency said in a statement.

Mountaire Farms received one hazard alert letter for medical management practices in place at the facility that prevent appropriate standards of care, increase the likelihood of workers developing serious musculoskeletal disorders, restrict referrals to physicians and discourage employees from reporting symptoms and injuries.

The company received another hazard alert warning about the company’s storage of incompatible chemicals.