ATTENTION FOOD PROCESSOR CLIENTS: OSHA is onto the Clean-In-Place (CIP) process and how it contains “hazardous energy sources”, which in turn makes opening up the CIP system a “line-break” and LOTO activity. These citations center around PPE and LOTO issues at a food plant where workers were exposed to “hot water”.
OSHA has cited a food processor for amputation and other hazards after two employees were hospitalized in separate incidents and face $164,997 in penalties. On August 2, 2018, an employee suffered burns while using hot water under pressure. Six days later, another employee suffered an amputation to the tip of the finger. OSHA cited the company for exposing employees to amputation hazards; failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures to control hazardous energy and train employees on these procedures; failing to ensure employees isolated energy sources before conducting line-breaking work; not providing personal protective equipment, and failing to implement a bloodborne pathogen program.
Here is a breakdown of the citations: