Document ZKgO1wvGem1JVYoNJR3aJN5Z

agsiKst OSHA CHARGES fIRM WITH 197 ALLEGED VIOLA TIONS; PROPOSES $1.09 MILLION IN PENALTIES On Match 27,1991, OSHA cited fonfort, Inc., Grand Island, Neb., for 97 alleged violations of workplace afety rules and proposed fines totaling 1,092,100. The Grand Island facility, which is wired by ConAgra, Inc., is a beef meat acker. Monfort, Inc. and its subsidiaries mploy about 16,000 persons nationwide. EGREGIOUS LOCKOUT/ TAGOUT The citations include 10S alleged egregious willful, two alleged willful, 75 tlleged serious, three alleged repeat, and l2other violations. They include the ^Rgrcgious citations issued by OSHA fiSr its new lockout/tagout standard. "This company has been inspected ly OSHA on different occasions and has rot yet fully committed to improve or ipgrade waking conditions for its anployees," OSHA Regional Adminissator John Phillips said. *. FATALITY In this latest instance an employee at tte Monfort plant was killed when proper lockout/tagout procedures were not followed, OSHA said. The company indfaw*d it was aware of the OSHA lockout/tagout standard. But Monfort did not formulate a plan adequate to address existing hazards, OSHA said. The evidence obtained during OSHA's latest inspection demonstrates disregard for lockout/tagout and machine guarding safeguards. MACHINE GUARDING OSHA cited the company for 57 alleged violations of machine guarding ^Kdards with each instance carrying a ^Bposed fine of $10,000 for a total of $570,000. v_ s '' ' ` - 'i-i ' The agency also aHegcs.12 instances ; of unguarded sprocket chains with > proposed fines of $8,000 far each - .: instance, a total of $96,000. Monfcxt was also cited for 18 instances - at $10,000 per violation - where procedures for lockout were allegedly not utilized, a total of $180,000. Also, 18 instances, of lack of training on lockout/tagout procedures at $10,000 each, a total of $180,000. "An employer's commitment to worker safety and health finally plays out on the shop floor," Phillips said. "Inad equate programs, lack ofmachine guarding, and superficial training translates into worker injuries and deaths. "The day-to-day actions necessary to prevent those occurrences ultimately lie with the employer." The alleged willful violations include a proposed $10,000 fine for not providing new equipment with energy isolating devices designed to accept lockout devices and $10,000 far having an unguarded mechanical power transmis sion system. OSHA ASSISTANCE For OSHA compliance assistance, including on-site simulated OSHA inspections, OSHA training, etc., contact ELB & Associates, Inc. Don't wait until . the OSHA inspector arrives to find out . what needs to be done. Abo. ensure that your safety and health program includes OSHA and EPA compliance activities. SUMMARY Proposed Penalties - Monfort Inc. , Willful Egregious 57 (machine guarding) @ $10,000 =. $570,000 12 (unguarded sprocket/chain) @ $8,000 $9M00 18 (unused lockout/tagout procedures) @ $10,000 $180,000 18 (lack of lockout/tagout training) @ - $10,000 $180,000 Willful 1 (new equipment not designed to accept lockout devices) $10,000 1 (unguarded power transmission) $10,000 'v i ' 1 1 :#- -n .-s6 Repeat and serious 75 Serious (various) 3 Repeat Other 12 ? $41,300 $4/HK) Total $1,092,100 Proposed Penalties - Monfort Inc. Willful Egregious 57 (machine guarding) @ $10,000 $570,000 12 (unguarded sprocket/chain) @ $8,000 $9Sj000 18 (unused lockout/tagout procedures) <S $10,000 $180,000 18 (lack of lockout/tagout training) @ $10,000 $180/100 Willful 1 (new equipment not designed to accep lockout devices) $10/100 1 (unguarded power transmission) $10,000 Repeat and serious 75 Serious (various) 3 Repeat Other 12 Total j $41,300 $400 p l ' 'i o? A V i $1/192,100 S' SHINTECH-000524