The move follows an OSHA inspection of the Moss Point factory in April.
Serious violations
21 serious violations included failing to have employees affix personal lockout devices to a group lockout device; not developing and documenting procedures for controlling hazardous energy and not providing training for forklift operators.
OSHA also identified fall and electrical hazards and a lack of equipment guarding on rotating drums, fan blades and horizontal rotating shafts.
It also pinpointed a lack of guarding on the belts and pulleys of the grinding screw and hopper screw conveyor.
‘Terrible incident’
“This terrible incident could have been avoided if the employer had followed OSHA’s standards for energy control procedures,” said Clyde Payne, OSHA area director in Jackson County.
“It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that employees are aware of and follow energy control procedures for their protection when working on any machinery.”
Proposed penalties for the serious violations total $79,200.
Omega Protein has 15 days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before an independent commission.
