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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
AgriGeneral Company, L.P., will pay a $425,000 penalty for
safety and health violations at its Croton, Ohio, egg processing and
distribution plant and take steps to improve safety and health conditions for
both its Ohio facilities, under an agreement announced today by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
OSHA inspected the Croton facility, now operating as
Buckeye Egg Farm, following a referral from the Ohio Department of Health. As a
result of its investigation, OSHA cited the company on Aug. 18, 1997 for
willful violations of the general duty clause and temporary labor camp
standards and serious violations of the bloodborne pathogens, confined space,
hazard communication and agricultural equipment standards. Proposed penalties
initially totaled $1,072,000; the settlement announced today reduces that
penalty to $425,000 and covers the company’s Ohio facilities at both
Croton and Mount Victory.
“We are pleased that Buckeye Egg
Farm has agreed to resolve this matter,” said Secretary of Labor Alexis M.
Herman. “As a result of this settlement, hundreds of employees will no
longer face unhealthful and even life-threatening living and working
conditions. Key to the settlement is the company’s willingness to
implement a viable safety and health program to provide ongoing protection for
its workers.”
Buckeye Egg Farm employs 365 workers at its 7,000-acre
Croton facility (near Columbus), which produces, processes and distributes
about 4.5 million eggs daily from almost 10 million chickens. The Mount Victory
facility, located west of Marion, employs 100 workers overseeing egg production
by nearly 2 million chickens. (The Mount Victory plant was not included in the
original inspection).
The agreement settles citations issued against the company
that included: exposing temporary migrant workers to fire and electrical
hazards and to unsafe and unsanitary conditions in housing; overexposing
employees to ammonia and organic dust (including failure to have an effective
respiratory program); hazards associated with machine guarding deficiencies and
fall protection; and risks related to bloodborne exposures and confined space
hazards. Buckeye Egg Farm has agreed to correct all conditions cited at the
Croton facility and will implement applicable provisions of the agreement at
its Mount Victory site.
“Buckeye Egg Farm is choosing to
take a positive step to improve safety and health conditions for its workers at
both its egg processing facilities,” said Charles Jeffress, assistant
secretary of labor for OSHA. “The settlement enables the company and OSHA
to concentrate on improving safety and health issues and to avoid the cost and
burden of possible prolonged litigation.”
Under the settlement agreement, Buckeye Egg Farm will:
- Conduct semi-annual safety and health inspections at both facilities
through December 2000 and prepare a report to OSHA.
- Develop a plan by Feb. 1, 1999 to identify feasible engineering,
work practice and administrative controls to reduce employee exposure to
ammonia and respirable dust.
- Provide affected employees with documented initial and refresher
training in safety and health hazards associated with their specific jobs,
including hazard recognition and avoidance; safety and health
policies/procedures; lockout/tagout; personal protective equipment; hazard
communication; machine guarding requirements; bloodborne pathogens and
biological hazards; emergency evacuation; and injury/illness recordkeeping.
- Communicate with employees concerning compliance actions under the
settlement; involve employees in safety and health problems, and respond to
employee’s concerns or suggestions related to safety and health.
- While the company no longer provides housing for migrant
agricultural workers, any future housing must conform to the requirements of
the Occupational Safety and Health Act and Ohio state codes.
- Will construct a locker and shower facility to enhance personal
hygiene, and will provide certain employees with coveralls and laundry service.
- Locations will be established for the storage, maintenance, and
distribution of personal protective equipment. Appropriate training and
respirator fit testing will also be provided.
- Will provide a safer source of potable water for drinking and
washing at all locations, and will periodically test drinking water for
potential contamination in accordance with Ohio state codes.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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