The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued citations for alleged violations by a Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (“PPC”) Waco, Texas poultry processing facility.
OSHA states it cited PPC for two repeat and two serious violations under its Process Safety Management Standards.
The violations allegedly involved the failure to use proper safety measures allowing the release of 79 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at the Waco facility on September 28, 2105.
OSHA alleges two repeat citations for failing to implement proper operating procedures with accurate information on safety systems and how they worked. In addition, it alleges that the company’s process hazard analysis failed to address issues in the plant stating:
This analysis identifies potential hazards associated with the processing of highly hazardous chemicals. Inspectors also found the company’s inspections and equipment testing were not completed as scheduled or documented as required. The agency cited Pilgrim’s for the same or similar violations at its plants in Nacogdoches in February 2015 and in De Queen, Arkansas, in July 2013.
Serious citations are stated to have been issued for “failing to use proper methods to prevent over-pressurization and explosions in the system, and for placing the control and maintenance room facilities in the engine room for ammonia refrigeration.”
PPC has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Area Director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Click here to download a copy of the news release, which includes a web address to obtain the citations.
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