OSHA Fines Pet Food Plant $152K for Uncorrected HazardsOSHA Fines Pet Food Plant $152K for Uncorrected Hazards

A pet food manufacturing plant in Howell, NJ was recently issued a fine totaling $152,829 by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after the company failed to perform corrective actions on safety hazards uncovered by the agency in a previous inspection. 

Two inspections at the Hamiltime Herb Company LLC plant took place in the summer of 2017 after a worker lost four fingers in a batch mixer that became operational during cleaning work. A follow up inspection at the site in May 2018 resulted in several citations, the agency announced in a release Friday. 

Agency inspectors said the company failed to develop a lockout/tagout program to prevent accidental machine startups; did not implement a respiratory protection protection program for workers using tight-fitting respirators; exposed workers to unguarded machinery; and neglected to provide training and certifications for workers using forklifts. 

The company must comply with the penalties within 15 business days, arrange to meet with an OSHA area director, or challenge the agency’s findings before an independent board. 

For more news headlines, articles, and equipment reviews, visit our Equipment Zones