Alleged finger amputation leads OSHA to cite Mountaire Farms

Mountaire Farms has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for five alleged serious safety violations at its poultry processing facility in Selbyville, Delaware.

(BillionPhotos | Bigstock)
(BillionPhotos | Bigstock)

Mountaire Farms has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for five alleged serious safety violations at its poultry processing facility in Selbyville, Delaware.

According to a press release from OSHA, the agency inspected the facility in June after Mountaire reported that a worker suffered a finger amputation while operating a packaging machine.

OSHA alleges that inspectors found serious violations associated with electrical and process safety management hazards, and deficiencies with the procedures meant to prevent accidental machine start-up or movement, which contributed to the amputation.

The inspection also resulted in the discovery that workers were exposed to musculoskeletal stressors as they performed on-the-job tasks, OSHA alleges.

Two hazard alert letters were issued to Mountaire Farms. One regarded medical management practices in place at the facility that allegedly prevent appropriate standards of care, increase the likelihood of workers developing serious musculoskeletal disorders, restrict referrals to physicians and discourage employees from reporting symptoms and injuries.

A second hazard alert letter warned about the company’s alleged storage of incompatible chemicals.

The company faces $39,762 in penalties, but it has 15 business days to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings.

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