Pet Product Manufacturer Faces OSHA Violations Following Severe Employee Injury
Doskocil Manufacturing Inc. received one willful violation and eight serious violations, totaling $278,851 in proposed penalties.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jun 20, 2024
Doskocil Manufacturing Inc., operating as Petmate, was the subject of a recent OSHA investigation. The agency determined the company’s safety failures led to an incident which left an employee with second- and third-degree burns in December 2023. The company faces $278,851 in proposed penalties for one willful violation and eight serious violations.
According to a recent release, inspectors found that three workers were using a pry bar to remove excess plastic from a structural foam machine when an injection nozzle dislodged, spraying molten plastic into the face of one worker. The company manufactures and distributes bedding, kennels, dog houses, feeding and watering products, litter maintenance products, toys, collars, leads, travel equipment and other pet products under a variety of brands.
OSHA’s investigation revealed that Petmate failed to isolate energy sources to protect workers, develop safety procedures for machine cleaning and maintenance, ensure walkways and working areas were free of slipping hazards and provide eye protection for workers using structural foam machines.
“When proper safety processes and procedures are ignored, industrial workplaces can be dangerous and unforgiving for employees,” said OSHA Area Director Timothy Minor in Fort Worth, Texas. “Petmate’s failures to comply with federal safety regulations exposed its employees to serious dangers, resulting in one worker suffering severe injuries.”
Petmate now 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 agency’s findings.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.