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Latest headlines

TECH FLASH

Russell Stover, Pilgrim’s Pride cited for ammonia leaks

OSHA proposed hefty fines for both.

By Jeremy Gerrard
osha committee meeting
April 13, 2016

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed hefty fines for Russell Stover Candies and Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, citing both companies with multiple safety violations stemming from ammonia leaks that occurred at their plants last September. Federal inspectors cited Pilgrim’s Pride for four violations after 79 pounds of anhydrous ammonia was released at its Waco, TX facility. The company faces more than $122,000 in proposed fines.

“Anhydrous ammonia can have devastating and lethal effects," says Jack Rector, OSHA’s area director in Fort Worth. “Had Pilgrim’s had the right processes in place, this ammonia release may have been prevented. We will continue to monitor the company’s progress as it makes much-needed improvements to equipment, procedures and training to keep its workers safe.”

OSHA issued two repeat citations to Pilgrim’s for failing to implement proper standard operating procedures. Inspectors also found the company’s inspections and equipment testing were not completed as scheduled or documented as required. In addition, the agency issued serious citations for Pilgrim’s failure to use proper methods to prevent over-pressurization and explosions in the ammonia refrigeration system and for placing the control and maintenance room facilities within the ammonia refrigeration engine room that exposed employees to fire and inhalation hazards.

OSHA also proposed fining Russell Stover more than $193,000 after identifying 19 violations related to the release of 22 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into the air when an air conditioning unit pipe failed at its Kansas facility. No workers were injured in the incident, which closed the plant for more than two hours. Because of the incident, OSHA placed Russell Stover in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

KEYWORDS: ammonia OSHA refrigeration worker safety

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Jeremy Gerrard was Food Engineering's Digital/Online Editor. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in journalism. His previous work experience includes years spent as a reporter with the Daily Local News out of Chester County, PA. In addition to writing feature articles for Food Engineering, Jeremy covered the Dry Processing, Field Reports and People and Industry news sections.

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