OSHA investigating FedEx in Springfield after employee gets caught in conveyor belt

The federal agency in charge of regulating workplace safety is investigating an incident that occurred at a FedEx distribution center in northeast Springfield on Friday morning.

The Springfield Fire Department received a call at 9:26 a.m. Friday about a FedEx employee trapped in a conveyor belt, according to Randy Villines, assistant chief at the fire department.

Villines said first responders freed the employee in about a half hour, and he was transported to a local hospital in an ambulance.

The employee sustained "severe to moderate injuries" to his arm, Villines said.

The acting area director of the Kansas City Area Office for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Karena Lorek, announced Tuesday that OSHA has opened an investigation.

In a statement emailed to the News-Leader, an OSHA spokeswoman said the agency will collect information and identify any violations of OSHA standards. The agency may issue citations and penalties if it finds there have been violations.

Lorek said, "These types of incidences are preventable. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all workers are properly trained and that a safe and healthy work environment is available to all employees."

Contacted on Tuesday, Villines told the News-Leader the individual's current condition is unknown because the fire department does not typically get follow-ups on injured parties.

According to an incident report from the fire department, the employee is a "20 something male."

His left arm was trapped up to the shoulder between two rollers and his head was caught between one roller and a brace on the machine, the report said.

Villines said the employee was conscious and talking when crews were working to extricate him from the machine.

According to the report, another employee was going to shut off the conveyor when he fell and hurt his shoulder.

The second employee also left the FedEx building in an ambulance.

OSHA has up to six months to complete an investigation.

FedEx spokeswoman Allie Addoms told the News-Leader the FedEx distribution center, located at 2700 N. Mulroy Road, began operating in late September. She said more than 100 employees work there.

Addoms said safety is FedEx's top priority.

"We have a long history of conducting safe operations across our network of 80,000 employees who process over 7.6 million packages a day. We remain committed to workplace safety and will cooperate fully with OSHA during their investigation," Addoms said.