Three Workers Suffer Serious Injuries at Schwan Facility: OSHA
Schwan’s Global Supply Chain has been fined $172K by OSHA
OSHA has cited Schwan's Global Supply Chain Inc. for three repeated, four serious and one other-than-serious safety violations at one of its facilities in Salina, Kansas, fining the company more than $172,000, after an inspection discovered that the company exposed workers to amputation and other serious hazards.
"Three women's lives were dramatically altered because their employer failed to protect them from hazardous operating machinery parts," said Judy Freeman, OSHA area director in Wichita. "Each year, thousands of workers like these suffer amputation and other injuries that are preventable when basic safety guards are in place and proper procedures are followed. Schwan's needs to protect their workers, and they need to do it now."
On Aug. 11, 2015, a worker's hand had to be amputated after her glove was caught in the unguarded conveyor chain and sprocket drive assembly. The second incident happened on Sept. 30, 2015, when an employee tried to clear a jam of pizza pans. The worker sustained a laceration, fractures, and burns the palm of her left hand.
The final incident occurred on Oct. 23, 2015, when an employee reached up to try to catch her balance, and in the process, contacted an unguarded chain and sprocket underneath a conveyor belt.
According to OSHA, the company is a subsidiary of The Schwan Food Company, a multibillion-dollar company that sells frozen food brands in North America, including Red Baron, Tony's and Freschetta frozen pizza, and Mrs. Smith's desserts.