In Syracuse, New York, The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Agro Farma Inc. for 34 alleged violations of workplace safety and health standards at its New Berlin facility. The company which manufactures Chobani Greek Yogurt faces $178,000 in proposed fines after a complaint was filed with OSHA.
“Our inspections identified a wide range of mechanical, chemical, electrical and health hazards that, left uncorrected, expose the plant’s employees to being caught in moving machine parts or unexpectedly energized machinery, electrocution, falls, being overcome in toxic or oxygen-deficient atmospheres, and hearing loss,” said Christopher Adams, OSHA’s area director in Syracuse.
The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/AgroFarma_315849406.pdf * and http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/AgroFarma_315849067.pdf *
According to OHSA there were a number of issues such as; electrical hazards, lack of training for the employees regarding electrical safety practices, and a lack of personal protective equipment for workers who work on live electrical equipment; just to name a few, which resulted in the issue of a total of 33 serious citations with $177,000 in proposed fines. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.
