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.”