Texas Tortilla Factory Fined $218K for Workplace Safety Violations

June 16, 2021

A San Marcos, Texas-based tortilla manufacturer has been cited for repeat and serious workplace safety violations, and faces penalties of more than $200,000, federal regulators say.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said previous inspections have given the operators of the family owned tortilla factory, El Milagro of Texas Inc., opportunity to resolve its safety issues including workers’ exposure to amputation dangers.

A recent OSHA inspection found the company is still exposing workers to the risks of amputation and other serious injuries.

Worker complaints of dangerous amputation hazards led OSHA to again investigate conditions at El Milagro of Texas and the agency’s inspectors determined that the company once again failed to follow hazardous energy control procedures to prevent sudden machine start-up or movement during maintenance and servicing.

As a result, inspectors cited El Milagro for three repeat violations related to energy control and four serious violations for failing to follow lockout/tagout procedures.

OSHA also cited the company for a repeat violation for failing to fit-test workers using respirators, and a serious violation for not performing medical evaluations for respirator use. The agency has proposed $218,839 in fines.

OSHA cited the company for the same violations in 2015 and 2018.

El Milagro of Texas has 15 business days from receipt of its 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 Texas Commercial Lines Business Insurance Manufacturing

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