OSHA Hits Food Manufacturer with $174,500 Fine for Machine Hazards
The serious violations include failing to provide required machine guarding to prevent workers from coming into contact with rotating parts on drill presses, ensure that employees are trained on the use of energy control procedures, and prevent slip and "struck-by" hazards by ensuring walkways are kept clean and dry.
OSHA has cited Anaheim, Calif.-based Bridgford Foods Corp. for six serious and two repeat safety violations at one of its food manufacturing facilities in Dallas. Proposed penalties total $174,500.
OSHA's Dallas Area Office began an investigation on Aug. 23, 2011, at the company's Chancellor Row location as part of the agency's Severe Violators Enforcement Program, which mandates follow-up inspections of recalcitrant employers that have endangered workers by committing willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations.
"Bridgford Foods has a history of putting its employees at risk of serious injury," said John Hermanson, OSHA's regional administrator in Dallas. "The company needs to adhere to OSHA's standards for controlling hazardous energy and machine guarding to prevent the loss of limb and life."
The serious violations include failing to provide required machine guarding to prevent workers from coming into contact with rotating parts on drill presses, implement energy control procedures for machinery with more than one energy source, ensure that employees are trained on the use of energy control procedures, and prevent slip and "struck-by" hazards by ensuring walkways are kept clean and dry.
The repeat violations involve failing to ensure lockout/tagout procedures of energy sources were performed by an authorized employee and that the authorized employee affixed a personal lock or tag to the group lockout device. OSHA cited the company for similar violations in February 2008 with penalties of $8,000, in September 2008 with penalties of $33,900, and in January 2010 with penalties of $106,000.
Additionally, OSHA cited the company's facility on South Good Latimer Expressway in Dallas in October 2011 for 27 safety and health violations with penalties totaling $422,600.
Bridgford Foods manufactures frozen bread dough, biscuits, cinnamon roll doughs, sandwiches, beef jerky, and snack and deli foods.