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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-219-8151
Hanover Foods Corporation is facing a $498,000 fine for refusing to
correct job safety hazards that caused two amputations last year at its
Clayton, Del., facility, according to citations issued by the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
A food processing manufacturer headquartered in Hanover, Pa., the
company prepares and packages frozen vegetables and dinner entrees. Nationwide,
Hanover employs approximately 4,000 workers; about 400 people work at the
Clayton plant during its busiest production periods.
Hanover Foods is being cited for more than 30 violations including
failure to properly safeguard machinery, failure to inspect and test safety
relief valves and lack of employee training in safety and health procedures.
"There is a long and sorry record of violations at Hanover Foods'
Clayton facility," said Greg Watchman, acting assistant secretary of labor for
occupational safety and health. "By now this company should know full well that
its offenses put workers at risk and cause unnecessary pain and suffering.
Hanover cannot be allowed to continue such callous disregard for its workers'
well-being."
In 1994 Hanover was cited for serious violations of respiratory
protection and emergency response standards. The following year the company was
cited for serious violations of lockout/tagout procedures that guard against
equipment starting up while employees are performing maintenance or service
work, as well as problems involving respiratory protection, emergency response
and safety management standards.
A follow-up inspection revealed continued problems, and in December 1996
OSHA issued two willful citations totaling $140,000 for lack of machine
guarding and lockout/tagout procedures that caused two employees to suffer
finger amputations. That inspection was triggered when a local ambulance
service alerted OSHA concerning the amputations.
Citations are now being issued for $174,000 for three instances where
Hanover allegedly failed to correct hazards discovered in previous inspections;
for $245,000 for six willful violations; $44,000 for 13 serious violations; and
$46,500 for one repeat violation. Three additional violations carry no proposed
penalty.
Willful violations included an inadequate process safety management
program that should have been designed to prevent catastrophic release of
ammonia from the refrigeration system, failure to develop proper written
operating procedures, failure to implement a mechanical integrity program and
deficiencies in the company's emergency response program.
The company has 15 days to contest the citations before the independent
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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