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Sandusky pork processing facility faces over $500K in fines after federal investigators find 43 safety violations

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, many of the hazards exposed J.H. Routh Packing Co. employees to unsafe working conditions.

SANDUSKY, Ohio — Sandusky pork processing facility J.H. Routh Packing Co. was cited for 43 safety violations after federal inspections were recently conducted. Those violations have led to proposed penalties of over $500,000.

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The U.S. Department of Labor says it conducted inspections of the facility in December 2023 and January 2024 after being notified by "a local government agency" that two workers were medically treated after being exposed to ammonia gas during maintenance of their refrigeration system.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the company with the following violations:

  • Lack of fall protection
  • Noise exposure
  • Inadequate permit-required confined space procedures
  • Lack of an emergency eyewash/shower
  • Lockout/tagout procedures for machines
  • No hazard communication plans
  • Electrical safety related work practices
  • Failure to mark all exits
  • Unsafe electrical equipment and installations
  • Lack of lockout devices
  • Lack of personal protective equipment
  • Unsafe walking working surfaces and stairways

“Every day, people employed in food manufacturing operations face serious safety and health hazards. Unsafe exposure to ammonia in refrigeration can irritate the respiratory tract, eyes, and nasal passages. At high levels, ammonia exposure may even be fatal,” said OSHA Area Director Todd Jensen in Toledo, Ohio. “J.H. Routh Packing Co. and other Ohio food industry employers must review their procedures to continually protect workers from preventable injuries and allow them to end their work shifts safely.”

The company faces a total of $528,441 in penalties based on the above violations. OSHA issued a total of 40 "serious violations" and also cited J.H. Routh for a repeat violation "for exposing employees to amputation and other serious hazards due to inadequate point-of-operation guarding on a meat saw."

J.H. Routh Packing Co., also known as HK Cooperative Inc., was previously cited for violations in November 2023 for electrical hazards, machine guarding and improperly maintained tools. They were again cited in March of this year for "failing to protect employees from bloodborne pathogens" and fined $13,828. The company has 15 business days to comply or contest the OSHA findings.

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