OSHA Fines Interstate Brands Corp. $274,500 for Safety Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Schiller Park, Ill.-based Interstate Brands Corp., a manufacturer of bakery products, with 20 alleged safety violations for failing to properly train workers who operate powered industrial trucks, and protect workers from electrical shock hazards and dangerous high-speed rotating equipment. Proposed penalties, from two OSHA inspections at the company’s plant, total $274,500.

IBC has been cited with three alleged willful violations for failing to properly lock out/tag out electrical equipment for maintenance and sanitation, ensure all persons operating powered industrial trucks were properly trained and evaluated, and ensure machinery guards were in place at points of operation. The violations carry proposed fines of $210,000.

The company also was cited with 17 serious violations including failing to keep all aisles and passageways in good repair and maintain proper exit routes, annually inspect energy control procedures, ensure all powered industrial trucks were examined for defects prior to the start or end of each work shift, ensure guards were in place on all equipment points of operation, provide employees with hardware to isolate and secure equipment from energy sources, and ensure fans less than seven feet above work level were provided with guards. Proposed penalties are $64,500.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA