Poultry plant penalised for 34 violations

The penalties for 34 safety and health violations amount to a sum of $253,500. The facility was cited for 11 repeat safety and health violations resulting in penalties, which came at a price of $187,500. Violations included: no guardrails, failure to keep exit routes free of objects, and improperly maintaining electrical boxes.

The plant was additionally cited for 20 serious safety and health violations and three other violations with penalties totalling $66,000. These violations include: no seatbelt while operating forklift, failure to conduct regular inspections of forklifts, and unguarded machinery.

Koch Foods has 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.