Pilgrims Pride Cited with Serious and Repeat Violations
The chicken processor and distributor exposed employees to chemicals and did not perform regulation inspection on equipment, among other offenses.
Pilgrim’s Pride, a chicken processor and distributor, was cited with repeat and serious violations by OSHA and is facing $99,000 in fines. These seven violations (three repeat and four serious) range from failing to inspect and test equipment to exposing employees to hazardous chemicals.
"Process safety management prevents the unexpected release of toxic, reactive or flammable liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals," said David Doucet, director of OSHA's Houston North office, on the OSHA website. "Exposure to highly hazardous chemicals can be fatal. OSHA will not tolerate a company's failure to provide a safe and healthful working environment."
The factory in Lufkin, Texas, failed “to correct deficiencies in process equipment, ensure that process safety information pertaining to equipment includes design codes and standards and establish and implement written procedures to manage changes of the process,” according to OSHA.
This factory employs about 1,400 workers. Other violations included failing to properly label chemicals and ensure that processing equipment complies with regulations.