San Jose Sheet Metal Company Fined After Worker Loses Finger

Cal/OSHA cites company for safety violations after repeat incident involving unguarded press brake machine.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has proposed a $212,000 fine against All Fab Precision Sheetmetal Inc., a San Jose sheet metal supplier, following a workplace injury that required an employee to have their finger amputated. Cal/OSHA inspectors found three violations related to the operation of a press brake machine without the required safety guard, which they say led to the preventable injury.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of workplace safety regulations and the responsibility of employers to protect their workers. The fine against All Fab Precision Sheetmetal Inc. comes after a similar incident in 2024, indicating a pattern of negligence that put employees at risk.

The details

In June 2025, an employee working the press brake machine at All Fab Precision Sheetmetal Inc. got their finger caught in the machine, which was allegedly being operated without a required safety guard. This incident follows a similar event in 2024 that resulted in a fine of over $43,000 for the company. Cal/OSHA has now cited the company for three violations, including one willful regulatory violation, one serious accident-related violation, and one willful repeat serious accident-related violation.

  • In June 2025, the employee's finger was amputated in the press brake incident.
  • In 2024, a similar incident at the company resulted in a fine of over $43,000.

The players

All Fab Precision Sheetmetal Inc.

A San Jose sheet metal supplier that was issued a preliminary $212,000 fine by Cal/OSHA following a workplace injury that required an employee to have their finger amputated.

Debra Lee

The Cal/OSHA Chief who stated that the employee's injury was "entirely preventable" and that "Safety guards must be in place for a reason."

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What they’re saying

“Safety guards must be in place for a reason. Bypassing these protections can result in workers being seriously injured or killed. What makes this case especially troubling is that the employer was already aware of the hazard. A nearly identical accident had occurred just twelve months earlier.”

— Debra Lee, Cal/OSHA Chief (Cal/OSHA)

What’s next

All Fab Precision Sheetmetal Inc. has 15 days to appeal the fine in accordance with the Cal/OSHA process.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the critical importance of workplace safety regulations and the responsibility of employers to prioritize worker protection. The repeated violations at All Fab Precision Sheetmetal Inc. demonstrate the need for companies to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of their employees and prevent such preventable injuries from occurring.