The U.S. Department of Labor has cited a Wisconsin-based food products manufacturer after two incidents involving industrial kettles releasing hot steam and liquid, causing three worker deaths and two serious injuries.
The first incident involved the lid of an industrial kettle unexpectedly opening after a clogged vent line led to pressure building up, and then releasing steam, liquid, and organic material onto two employees nearby. One of the employees was also struck by an object and suffered a concussion. Both employees were hospitalized, and one later passed away because of complications from their injuries.
A month later, the second incident involving multiple worker hospitalizations on March 18, when a kettle lid opened while under pressure releasing steam, hot liquid, and organic material, burning three workers. Two workers were fatally injured and another hospitalized.
The two incidents clearly show that food manufacturing is a dangerous place to work with numerous health and safety risks. Such as:
- Dangerous machinery: Heavy processing equipment, conveyor belts, and palletizers present severe risks for cuts, entanglement, and amputations if lockout/tagout procedures fail.
- Ergonomic strain: Repetitive motion, heavy lifting, and fast-paced assembly lines lead to high rates of musculoskeletal disorders.
- Environmental factors: Workers frequently navigate wet and slippery floors, extreme temperature shifts (freezers or hot kitchens), loud noise levels, and exposure to industrial cleaning chemicals
OSHA issued the employer one serious citation for the design and usage of kettles leading to pressure and thermal burn hazards; a repeat citation for exposing workers to falls to lower levels; and an other-than-serious citation for failing to notify employees working adjacent to permit-required confined spaces.
OSHA also issued serious citations for exposing workers to thermal hazards without quick access to emergency water. The employer also received citations for exposing workers to falls into the kettles and for failure to assess personal protective equipment for thermal risks. In addition, OSHA issued repeat citations for failure to develop, document, and utilize lockout/tagout procedures for the kettles and failure to train employees on lockout/tagout procedures.
The agency issued citations with $115,850 in penalties related to the inspection opened on Feb. 12 and $248,250 in penalties for the inspection opened on March 18.
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