OSHA inspectors recently responded to a report that a maintenance worker at Viscofan USA's plant in Danville, Illinois, was hospitalized after suffering broken bones and lacerations when the employee’s arm was caught in a roller machine on Jan. 25.
During the investigation, OSHA learned another employee suffered chemical burns while cleaning a pump on Feb. 1.
Since 2015, Viscofan USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Spanish manufacturer Viscofan, one of the world's leading maker of meat casings, has had dozens of serious OSHA violations. According to the Labor Department, the company could have prevented employees from suffering severe injuries by following federally required procedures for machine safety.
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In both incidents, the agency determined Viscofan USA lacked adequate procedures for energy control and failed to have them in place before the workers began their tasks. OSHA also found Viscofan USA failed to train its workers on lockout/tagout procedures, and on use of hazardous chemicals. The agency also cited the company for not reviewing energy control procedures annually.
"Viscofan USA has a long history of violations and worker injuries at its Danville facility, with two more workers needlessly suffering severe injuries because the company again failed to implement an effective safety and health program and develop specific energy control procedures to protect workers doing maintenance," said OSHA Area Director Edward Marshall in Peoria, Illinois. "Employers are responsible for training their workers and taking all necessary precautions to protect them from known hazards."
In total, OSHA cited Viscofan USA for one repeat violation, seven serious violations and one other-than-serious violation and has proposed $197,054 in penalties.
Founded in 1975, Danville serves as the company's U.S. headquarters. Since 1990, Viscofan USA has operated in North America with about 700 employees in facilities in Danville, and in Montgomery, Alabama, and Bridgewater, New Jersey.
The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference, or contest the findings.
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