Pasta Manufacturer Cited for Ammonia Hazards
Resulting in $54,000 worth of fines, Rana Meal Solutions in Bartlett, Ill. exposed employees to ammonia hazards and lack of adequate safety procedures.
Rana Meal Solutions, an Illinois pasta manufacturer, faces $54,000 in fines resulting from an OSHA investigation into the company's safety procedures. OSHA investigation after receiving a complaint that workers were being exposed to ammonia hazards, and the company was assessed 12 serious violations.
Eight of the serious violations were related to the ammonia refrigeration process, including allegedly ignoring the suggestions of a hazard analysis team. "OSHA provides guidelines for employers to manage the safety and health of workers associated with processes involving hazardous chemicals. Failing to properly address these issues puts workers at risk for exposure," said Diane Turek, area director for OSHA's Chicago North office, via the OSHA website. "OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially when employers fail to do so."
Rana Meal Solutions also was assessed three serious violations relating to its alleged failure to properly train employees, provide emergency eyewash, and provide information about hazardous chemicals existing in the workplace.
A non-serious violation was given to the pasta producer when water was found on the floor of the facility, posing a fall hazard.