OSHA Hops on Wis. Brewery for Unsafe Work Practices
The violations include failing to comply with the requirements of OSHA's process safety management standard, which resulted in workers being exposed to ammonia during maintenance of pipe lines.
OSHA has cited City Brewing Co. LLC for 16 serious safety violations at its La Crosse, Wis., brewery. These include, among others, a failure to comply with the requirements of OSHA's process safety management standard, which resulted in workers being exposed to ammonia during maintenance of pipe lines. The company faces $108,000 in proposed fines.
"Failing to follow process safety management procedures to reduce workers' exposure to hazardous chemicals such as ammonia is unacceptable," said Kim Stille, OSHA's area director in Madison. "Employers have a responsibility to ensure that work environments are healthful and safe."
The violations cited are for failing to ensure employee participation in a process safety management program, evaluate contractors' safety performance, conduct a process safety management compliance audit, perform inspections and tests to maintain mechanical integrity of equipment such as a reciprocating compressor and pressure relief and solenoid valves, and implement and train employees in an emergency response plan. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.