The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing $145,027 in fines to Buffalo, New York-based food manufacturer Rich Products Corps. after a willful violation led to the fatal injury of one worker. 

In a recent release, OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck said employers who fail to follow safety standards and train workers in operating procedures will be held accountable.

“This preventable tragedy is another example of why employers must ensure lockout/tagout procedures are in place before allowing workers to clean or operate machinery,” Martineck said in the release. 

The incident in question took place July 20, 2021, when a 42-year-old employee at the Crest Hill location suffered a fatal injury while cleaning a machine.

OSHA has a standard for the control of hazardous energy known as the lockout/tagout practice and procedures, according to its website. Hazardous energy can come from electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or energy sources.

According to the release, the company failed to implement energy control procedures, exposing third-shift sanitation workers to serious hazards. This is just one of an extensive history of OSHA violations associated with Rich Products. 

Operating about 100 locations globally, Rich Products Corp. manufactures frozen pizza, desserts and other grocery items for food service, retail, in-store bakeries and delis. Upon the receipt of a citation from OSHA, the company has 15 days to either comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.