Advertisement

Sanitation Worker Killed While Cleaning Food Manufacturing Equipment

Company fined for not following lockout/tagout procedures

January 26, 2022

A food manufacturer’s failure to implement equipment energy control procedures has resulted in the death of a sanitation worker, according to an inspection by the U.S. Department of Health’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The 42-year-old worker was killed while cleaning a machine last July at Rich Products Corp, a frozen-pizza manufacturer in Crest Hill, Illinois. Electric power to the machine was not shut off in accordance with lockout/tagout procedures that specify companies must have a process for disabling machinery or equipment to prevent the release of hazardous energy while employees perform servicing and maintenance activities.

According to the investigation, Rich Products failed to implement lockout/tagout procedures, exposing its third-shift sanitation workers to serious hazards. OSHA issued one willful violation to the food manufacturer and proposed US$145,027 in penalties. The agency placed Rich Products in OSHA’s Severe Violator Program as the Buffalo New York-based company has an extensive history of OSHA violations nationwide.

“This preventable tragedy is another example of why employers must ensure lockout/tagout procedures are in place before allowing workers to clean or operate machinery,” said OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck. “Employers who fail to follow safety standards and train workers in operating procedures will be held accountable.”

 

Latest Articles

FAQs on Disinfectant Active Ingredients
February 18, 2025

FAQs on Disinfectant Active Ingredients

February 13, 2025 Katrin Ferge

3 Ways to Remove Handwashing Barriers Inside Public Restrooms

February 11, 2025 Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner

Clean Spaces Equal Healthier Lives

Sponsored Articles

Infection Control Starts with Insights
January 31, 2025 Sponsored by OPTISOLVE

Infection Control Starts with Insights

January 28, 2025 Sponsored by Kikkoman

Effectiveness of the ATP Test (Kikkoman A3) for Cleaning Efficiency

January 20, 2025 Sponsored by SAFEguard Pro

This ONE Product Will Transform Your Winter

Recent News

waste management recycling

Greener Construction and Demolition Waste Management Solutions Needed

Handwashing Is Best Defense Against Spread of Norovirus

Global Contract Cleaning Services Market to Increase by $165.3B by 2029