The Tyson Foods Inc. facility in Dakota City, Neb., has been hit with Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations worth $71,500 in fines.
Tyson has 15 days to comply or request a conference with OSHA where it can contest the agency’s findings.
The meat manufacturer’s red meat production facility failed to maintain and enforce safety requirements, OSHA said in a statement Tuesday. The violations include one repeat offense and nine “serious” offenses, which are doled out when death or physical harm could likely stem from the hazard.
According to OSHA, officials at Tyson’s Dakota City plant failed to keep ladders in a safe condition; enforce the wearing of protective equipment by employees; inspect annual energy control procedures; maintain electrical installations in a safe condition; provide strain relief for electrical cords; and store incompatible chemicals in separate areas.
Other violations and one repeat violation were related to engineering problems, including failing to inspect the installation of a relief valve system.
A Tyson spokesman said the company cares about the safety of its employees and “will be reviewing OSHA’s concerns, which did not involve any workplace injuries and illnesses.”
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