North Carolina Poultry Plant Fined for Safety Violations

State regulators have cited a North Carolina chicken processing company for 49 serious safety code violations, many involving hazardous chemicals.

The Charlotte Observer reported the $178,000 fine levied against House of Raeford Farms plant in Teachey is significant for the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The penalties come five years after a chlorine gas leak killed employee Bruce Glover and sickened several others at the company’s plant in Rose Hill. In 2004, a major ammonia leak forced an evacuation of the plant and 17 workers went to the hospital with respiratory problems.

The company was cited after each leak, but regulators agreed to lessen proposed penalties.

Two of the recent inspections were prompted by complaints, and the third resulted from a referral by a government official.

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Information from: The Charlotte Observer,
http://www.charlotte.com