Idaho Meat Provider Pounded for Repeat, Serious Safety Violations
OSHA issued the citations after an inspection of the company's facility identified a potential release of anhydrous ammonia and other workplace hazards.
OSHA has cited CTI-SSI Food Services LLC of Wilder, Idaho, with 15 serious, one repeat, and one other-than-serious violation after an inspection of its facility identified a potential release of anhydrous ammonia and other workplace hazards. Proposed penalties total $132,000.
OSHA's area office in Boise began an investigation last year as part of a national emphasis program on chemical facilities.
"This employer disregarded industry-recognized hazards and exposed workers to the threat of serious injury or death associated with the potential release of anhydrous ammonia," said Dean Ikeda, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle. "Additionally, OSHA identified serious electrical, lockout/tagout, and fall hazards."
The serious violations involve inadequate process safety management, failing to provide fall protection, and failing to provide electrical guarding protection. In addition, the employer did not require use of locking devices to make equipment safe during maintenance procedures.
A repeat citation was issued due to the lack of an employee alarm system that was audible or recognizable over other workplace noise. The company was cited for the same violation on March 7, 2008.
Finally, the company was issued one other-than-serious citation for failing to monitor airborne chromium exposure.
CTI-SSI Food Services LLC provides cooked and uncooked meat for the fast food industry.