Pilgrim's Pride in Canton could be fined over $110,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration after an ammonia leak in January hospitalized workers there.
Jan. 19, an ammonia leak at the poultry processing plant on Univeter Road resulted in the hospitalization of two workers and the evacuation of about 50. A federal workplace safety investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor into the leak found their employer might have prevented the incident by ensuring required safety standards were followed, according to an OSHA news release. OSHA has proposed $110,630 in penalties.
Inspectors found the uncontrolled temperature and pressure conditions on an ammonia refrigeration system contributed to the release of ammonia, OSHA said. Liquid and vapor ammonia were dispersed in the air and engulfed the emergency exit doors that discharged outside.
Forty-two employees who had been working there were checked out by paramedics at the time, and another five or six had been checked out and were in a different building to stay warm. In addition to the hospitalized workers, one worker was treated on the scene.
OSHA issued nine citations to the company, saying it inadequately implemented and maintained the process safety management program for controlling anhydrous ammonia hazards in industrial refrigeration systems. OSHA also found that the employer failed to confirm a pre-startup safety review before introducing a highly hazardous chemical into an existing process and including instructions to address process deviations.
The employer also failed to train workers on the physical and health hazards of anhydrous ammonia, ensure exit signs were properly illuminated and clearly identified and maintain safe walking and working surfaces, according to OSHA.
“The failures identified in this case are inexcusable,” Joshua Turner, area director of OSHA's Atlanta-East office, said in a statement. “This incident should serve as a reminder to employers of their legal obligation to maintain a complete and up-to-date process safety management program and ensure workers are trained on the dangers of hazardous chemicals and the importance of following safety precautions.”
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. is one of the world’s largest poultry and pork producers with about 58,000 workers at locations in 14 U.S. states, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Europe.
The company 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.
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