OSHA Proposes $60,000 in Fines for Birds Eye Foods for Alleged Safety Violations

"This inspection was conducted under OSHA's local emphasis program to reduce employee exposure to hazards commonly found at fruit and vegetable processing plants," said John Deifer, OSHA's Savannah area director. "Preventing worker exposure to accidental releases of ammonia is one goal of the program."

Birds Eye Foods, which is headquartered in Rochester, N.Y., received 24 serious citations for alleged violations observed during the June inspection. Cited items include allegedly failing to properly locate ammonia pressure release discharge piping and provide workers with current, updated process safety management information.

OSHA also cited Birds Eye for allegedly exposing workers to:

• Fall hazards from unguarded roof edges, floor openings and stairways;
• Electrical shocks from defective equipment and allowing non-qualified employees to work on the equipment;
• "Caught-by" injuries from unguarded machinery; and
• Other injuries by failing to provide personal protective equipment.