Live Oak, FL – Pilgrim’s Pride has been cited by OSHA for 22 health and safety violations at its Live Oak (FL) poultry processing plant. Fourteen of those violations were classified as serious. The total proposed fine 
for the violations is $78,175.
In their investigation, OSHA documented serious violations including amputation risk via exposed machine parts, risk of falls of up to 12 feet, and a lack of lockout-tagout procedures, among others. Lockout-Tagout is a system of protocols to prevent unexpected machine start-up during equipment cleaning.
Approximately 3 million workers service equipment and these individuals face the greatest risk of injury if lockout/tagout is not properly implemented. Compliance with the federal lockout/tagout standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year. Workers injured on the job from exposure to hazardous energy lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation. In a study conducted by the United Auto Workers (UAW), 20% of the fatalities (83 of 414) that occurred among their members between 1973 and 1995 were attributed to inadequate hazardous energy control procedures specifically, lockout/tagout procedures.
A written lockout/tagout policy (LOTO) is one of five key lockout program components required by OSHA and ANSI. The written lockout policy governs the lockout program for the company and provides references for implementing and following a successful program. Martin Technical works everyday to provide our customers with customized written lockout/tagout (hazardous energy control) policies based on specific equipment, workforce, and needs. Contact an expert on our Safety and Compliance team today to discuss how we can bring our professional lockout services to your facility.
Pilgrim’s Pride is based in Greeley (CO) and is the poultry division of meat giant JBS. Pilgrim’s Pride is the second largest chicken production company in the world, with more than 35,000 workers and plants in 12 states and Mexico and Puerto Rico. At various facilities across the US, OSHA has fined Pilgrim’s Pride $202,000 in the past year.
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