The U.S. Department of Labor has once again cited Hanover Foods Corp. for exposing workers to numerous safety and health hazards, proposing penalties totaling $761,876. The violations were discovered at the company's Centre Hall facility in Pennsylvania.
According to OSHA Area Director Kevin T. Chambers, the company was cited for 70 violations, including repeat, serious, and other-than-serious infractions related to Process Safety Management failures. Chambers stated, “Hanover Foods Corp. put its employees at risk of serious safety and health hazards by not complying with federal and industry-recognized safety standards at another of its facilities.”
This is not the first time Hanover Foods Corp. has faced such citations. The company was previously cited for similar violations at its Clayton, Delaware, facility in 2019 and 2021.
In response to the violations, workers in the U.S. are reminded of the risks associated with chemical exposures. OSHA reports that more than 190,000 illnesses and approximately 50,000 deaths annually are related to chemical exposures. Employers and employees are encouraged to visit OSHA’s website for information on recognizing hazards and controlling exposures to prevent such incidents.
Hanover Foods Corp. has 15 business days to comply with the citations and penalties, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers are advised to seek information on developing workplace safety and health programs from OSHA's website and utilize the agency's compliance assistance resources for guidance on adhering to OSHA standards.
