OSHA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 2/12

The OSH Act of 1970 requires US employers to provide a safe, healthy workplace for every employee. Failure to comply with applicable OSHA health & safety standards can easily lead to preventable injuries and fatal accidents at workplaces of all types.

The enforcement actions highlighted below provide insight into how and why OSHA issues citations for workplace safety violations. All violations discussed are alleged only unless we say otherwise.

We withhold the names of organizations and individuals subject to enforcement to protect their privacy. Check out OSHA’s latest list of the 10 most-cited safety standards here.

An Ohio chicken processor faces $393,449 in penalties after an OSHA follow-up investigation.

Compliance officials opened a follow-up inspection under the Severe Violator Enforcement Program and alleged that standards covering lockout/tagout, training, machine guarding, and fall and electrical hazards were violated. For these issues, OSHA cited the company for three repeat, seven serious, and four other-than-serious violations.

OSHA claims it has cited the company for about 450 violations since 1988—largely for issues similar to the ones found during this inspection process.

A New Jersey-based transportation company faces $437,860 in penalties for alleged willful, repeat, and serious violations.

The company was cited for one willful, three repeat, and four serious violations due to allegations including failure to establish a written hazard communication program, properly maintain Safety Data Sheets for chemicals, and update chemical container labels.

The Agency also claims the company did not properly maintain eyewash stations, conduct medical evaluations prior to respirator use, inspect hoists, or ensure safety requirements were met during use of a lifeline fall protection system.

OSHA cited the company in 2019 and 2023 for similar issues.

A Wisconsin ice cream manufacturer faces 12 serious citations from OSHA and $145,097 in proposed penalties.

OSHA investigated the facility due to a report of workers being exposed to anhydrous ammonia and found the ice cream plant lacked sufficient process safety management procedures to control the release of hazardous chemicals.

Investigators claim the manufacturer lacked lockout/tagout procedures and machine guarding, failed to train workers in lockout/tagout procedures and update its emergency action plan, did not have a written hazard communication plan, and had ladder openings which were not protected from fall hazards.

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