Seminole, Okla. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Sigma Processed Meats Inc. for 16 serious and three repeat violations, including not properly training employees and correcting deficiencies in safety management for anhydrous ammonia, and is proposing penalties totaling $204,800. The fines follow an inspection that began June 1 by OSHA’s Oklahoma City area office at the company’s processing plant in Seminole. OSHA had received a complaint about conditions at the company’s processing plant in Seminole regarding workers being exposed to fall and other hazards. The violations considered as serious involved failing to provide guardrails as fall protection for employees working on elevated walking/working surfaces; failing to provide an adequate emergency action plan; failing to provide personal protective equipment, such as goggles or face shields; failing to train employees on the use of hazardous chemicals; and failing to address hazards created by deficiencies in the company’s process safety management system for anhydrous ammonia. The anhydrous ammonia is used for the refrigeration system. Sigma employs about 160 workers at the Seminole plant, which produces cold cut meats, cheese, creams, and frozen foods.
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