Keystone Foods has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for numerous alleged safety violations at its poultry plant in Bakerhill, Alabama.
According to a press release from OSHA, the agency was at the facility conducting an investigation after learning that an employee had allegedly been injured on March 7. The worker had apparently lost the tip of his left index finger while cleaning an overhead saw and making contact with the blade that was allegedly unguarded.
During that investigation, OSHA also alleged Keystone Foods was responsible for the following violations:
- Exposing employees to falls due to unguarded platforms.
- Exposing workers to amputation hazards due to unguarded saws and other machinery.
- Failing to follow safety procedures to prevent machinery from starting while cleaning.
- Failing to ensure workers wore eye protection.
- Failing to address the hazards of propane tanks stored near the ammonia refrigeration.
- Not including procedure to follow in the emergency action plan related to ammonia release.
Keystone Foods faces up to $76,734 in proposed fines. The company has 15 days to comply, request a conference with the OSHA area director, or contest the findings.
The facility, according to the WATT PoultryUSA Top Companies Poultry Plants Directory, is a slaughter, bulk, deboning, portioned-formed and cooking plant.
