Sausage manufacturer fined $116K for repeatedly exposing employees to safety hazards

During this latest inspection, OSHA cited the company for seven repeat violations and two serious violations. These violations include failing to develop and use machine-specific lockout/tagout procedures, not creating and implementing a hazard communication program, and failing to maintain required safety data sheets. Dean Sausage faces $116,153 in proposed penalties.

In a recent quote, OSHA Area Office Director Joel Batiz said, “The bottom line for any company is they must keep their workers safe. Employers have a legal obligation to put worker safety before profit and to do all they must to make sure every employee ends their shift safely. The fact that Dean Sausage Co. has allowed employees to be exposed to hazards for which we cited them in the past raises real concerns. Their latest failure is unacceptable and OSHA will hold the company accountable.”