Cargill Meat Solutions Fined $114K for Workplace Hazards

November 20, 2012

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. with three safety violations for failing to protect workers from unexpected start-up of machines at its Beardstown, Ill., pork processing facility. Proposed penalties total $114,000.

OSHA initiated an inspection upon receiving a complaint alleging hazards.

One willful violation is directing workers to perform maintenance and servicing on carbon dioxide equipment without first documenting lockout and tagout procedures designed to prevent unexpected energization.

A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

One repeat violation is failing to train workers who operate equipment on procedures to properly control hazardous energy.

A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. A similar violation was cited in May 2009 at the company’s Nebraska City, Neb., facility.

One serious violation is failing to document and certify periodic inspections of lockout procedures for an older model of carbon dioxide equipment. 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.

The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Cargill_Meat_Solutions_450214_111512.pdf.*

Cargill Meat Solutions, headquartered in Wichita, Kan., is a processor and distributor of fresh beef, pork and turkey, as well as cooked and marinated meats for retail and food service customers. It employs about 1,800 workers at its Beardstown facility.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA

Topics Workers' Compensation Commercial Lines Business Insurance

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