Denver — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited McKeefe Ventures, doing business as Colorado Blue Ribbon Foods LLC in Rocky Ford, for 28 alleged safety and health violations, including those involving anhydrous ammonia, which are considered serious. According to OSHA, fines totaling $116,160 are being proposed after a follow-up inspection was conducted in June to verify that corrective actions had taken place from a previous inspection. The serious violations include improper preventive maintenance of the anhydrous ammonia system, no lockout procedures for de-energizing equipment prior to performing maintenance activities, inadequate personal protective equipment, inadequate housekeeping, and various electrical hazards. "McKeefe Ventures was inspected and cited in the past for violations of OSHA standards under the names of Pueblo Foods LLC and Colorado Blue Ribbon Foods LLC, so the company is well aware of this agency’s requirements for the industry," said David Nelson, director of OSHA’s Englewood Area Office. "The violations that relate to improper management of the anhydrous ammonia system demonstrate a lax attitude toward a potentially catastrophic atmospheric release."
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