Food Packer Faces $200K Fine for Safety Violations

Monday, August 19, 2019 | 0

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Arbre Group Holding for willful and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards at its facility in western New York.

The company faces $200,791 in penalties for the violations including exposing workers to laceration and amputation hazards at a plant in Holley where the company packages frozen fruits and vegetables.

OSHA said the company did not install doors on a package filling machine to prevent employees from contacting operating parts. The access door on another part of the machine lacked an interlock mechanism to stop its operation when the door is opened.

OSHA also said the company failed to adopt adequate lockout/tagout procedures and failed to train employees on hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Other violations include failing to obtain annual audiograms for employees exposed to excessive noise levels, not ensuring employees wore eye and face protection, and not fixing damaged parts on electrical equipment.

The company has 15 business days to request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.