Spice Company Exposes Employees to Different Hazards
iSpice LLC faces $121,511 in penalties for an unsafe workplace.
- By Shereen Hashem
- May 04, 2021
iSpice LLC employers in Jackson, AL disregarded safety measures and failed to supervise employees. OSHA inspectors conducted an investigation at the global spice importer, processor and supplier and found that workers were exposed to amputation, struck-by, crushed-by and electrical hazards. According to a press release, the company faces $121,511 in penalties.
OSHA found the employer allowed workers to clean mixing machines without using a lockout device, failed to implement energy control procedures, failed to train workers on lockout/tagout practices and use machine guarding to keep employees from a rotating portion of the mixer.
iSpice also allowed workers to use powered industrial trucks with broken seatbelts, exposing them to even more hazards and improper use of the machine. The employer also exposed workers to electrical hazards by allowing boxes and outlets that were uncovered or lacked faceplates and used fans with exposed cords.
“This employer put their employees at serious risk needlessly by failing to provide training and implement well-known protections,” said OSHA Area Director Jose Gonzalez in Mobile, Alabama. “These protections are not optional, they are every workers right.”
According to the press release, The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent OSHA Review Commission.
About the Author
Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.