The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing $50,400 in penalties for 26 alleged safety and health violations found at the Hi-Tek Rations pet food manufacturing facility in Dublin, Ga.
An OSHA inspection revealed a significant accumulation of dust from the dog food processing area as well as hazardous working conditions. Employees were exposed to fall, electrical and fire hazards. Machine guards were missing and employees worked without proper eye, face and hand protection. In all, OSHA detected 25 serious violations resulting in $49,600 in proposed penalties.
OSHA also cited the plant for one other-than-serious violation, with a proposed penalty of $800, for not maintaining a proper record of injuries and illnesses occurring in 2007.
"Employers are responsible for the maintenance and housekeeping of their facilities, and when they fail in their responsibilities, they put the safety and health of their employees at risk," said John Deifer, OSHA's area director in Savannah.
The company has 15 business days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.