Poultry Processing Plant Penalized for Plethora of Problems
OSHA has cited the Allen Family Foods Inc. poultry processing facility in Harbeson, Del., for exposing workers to a variety of workplace safety hazards. Proposed penalties total $182,200.
The agency initiated an investigation on Sept. 9, 2009, in response to a referral made by Maryland Occupational Safety and Health after numerous serious and willful violations were issued at a similar processing facility in Maryland.
OSHA has cited the company with 45 serious violations and proposed a penalty of $182,000, and two other-than-serious violations with a proposed penalty of $200. The serious violations address hazards with industrial trucks, falls, personal protective equipment, machine guarding, electrical hazards, process safety management, respirators, and emergency response. OSHA issues a serious citation when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard.
"It is vital that the company abate these hazards as quickly as possible to ensure that safety and health of workers at that facility are not at risk," said Domenick Salvatore, director of OSHA's office in Wilmington, Del.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.