Frozen Food Processor Fined $156,700 for 27 Safety Violations at Ark. Facility
OSHA's Little Rock Area Office initiated an inspection on Dec. 12, 2011, under the agency's National Emphasis Program for Chemicals.
OSHA has cited Mountain Lakes, N.J.-based Pinnacle Foods Group LLC for 27 serious safety and health violations at the company's Fayetteville, Ark., facility, including exposing employees to inhaling ammonia, among other workplace hazards. Proposed penalties total $156,700.
"This company has seriously jeopardized the safety and health of its employees," said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA's area director in Little Rock. "Following OSHA's standards can prevent serious injuries and illnesses on the job, and employers are responsible for compliance."
OSHA's Little Rock Area Office initiated an inspection on Dec. 12, 2011, under the agency's National Emphasis Program for Chemicals. Investigators found that Pinnacle Foods Group failed to follow OSHA's process safety management regulations at the company's Fayettville facility, where about 500 employees process fresh and frozen seafood.
The violations involve failing to adhere to process safety management standards, ensure that lockout/tagout procedures are followed, provide appropriate personal protective equipment to prevent skin contact with and inhalation of ammonia, ensure that emergency exits are unlocked, repair or maintain defective electrical equipment, and adhere to OSHA's Emergency Response Standard.
Pinnacle Foods Group employs about 4,300 workers nationwide.