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OSHA Proposes
$248,000 in Penalties Against Abbyland Foods Inc.
The
U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has proposed $248,000 in fines against Abbyland Foods
Inc., a meat processing company located in Abbotsford, Wis.,
for alleged multiple willful and serious violations of federal
workplace safety standards.
OSHA issued
citations for three willful violations with proposed penalties
totaling $210,000. The citations allege that the company failed
to provide proper audiograms and training to all employees exposed
to hazardous noise levels; to properly enforce hearing protection
requirements; and to utilize proper lockout/tagout procedures
for equipment receiving servicing in order to prevent accidental
start-ups.
OSHA also
issued 11 citations to Abbyland Foods Inc. for serious violations
with proposed penalties of $37,000. These address slippery floors
and open-sided platforms; failure to have handrails on stairways;
failure to implement a noise monitoring program; personal protective
equipment use and storage; entering confined spaces; failure
to conduct adequate annual inspections of energy control program;
failure to conduct periodic evaluations and refresher training
for powered industrial vehicle drivers; availability of adequate
medical treatment; failure to ensure proper training for employees
exposed to bloodborne pathogens; and failure to provide adequate
machine guarding.
OSHA also
issued three other-than-serious citations with a proposed penalty
of $1,000 to the company for having obstructed exit doors, an
unguarded shaft and improper recordkeeping.
OSHA has
inspected Abbyland Foods Inc. five times and issued it 38 other
citations since 1997. OSHA initiated this latest inspection when
it learned that an employee's finger had been amputated at the
plant. The company has approximately 300 employees.
"Injuries,
such as amputation, and fatalities from accidents are preventable,"
said Melvin Lischefski, OSHA's area director in Appleton, Wis.
"Employers must remain dedicated to keeping the workplace
safe and healthful or face intense scrutiny by OSHA."
Under the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible
for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees.
OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's working
men and women by setting and enforcing standards; providing training,
outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging
continual process improvement in workplace safety and health.
Source: OSHA News Release 10/2/07
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