Region 4 News Release: 13-384-ATL (49)
March 8, 2013
Contact: Michael D'Aquino
Phone: 404-562-2076
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov

Southern Hens Inc. in Mississippi cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA
for 43 safety and health violations following worker fatality

MOSELLE, Miss. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Southern Hens Inc. with 43 safety and health violations following the death of a worker who slipped and fell into an unguarded screw conveyor while cleaning the conveyor at the company's Moselle facility. OSHA initiated the inspection Sept. 9, 2012, in response to the fatality.

The 37 serious safety and health violations cited involve failing to establish an audiometric testing program; protect propane tanks from vehicular traffic; provide personal protective equipment for employees; conduct monthly inspections of self-contained breathing apparatuses; evaluate hazards in the workplace to determine if any spaces were permit required confined spaces; identify mechanical hazards in the offal pits prior to employees entering; provide training for employees entering offal pits; develop energy control procedures for augers, chillers, scalders, cookers and dumpers; and provide lockout/tagout training of energy sources to all affected workers. Other violations include obstructing exit routes, not having exit signs visible, a lack of machine guarding on several pieces of equipment and exposing workers to shock, struck-by, burn, crushing, tripping, falling, slipping and amputation hazards. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Six other-than-serious safety and health violations include failing to post the approved floor load capacity for the parts supply area above the maintenance office; post not-an-exit sign in the evisceration room and steam cook area; have cover plates on electrical boxes; allow a metal duplex receptacle and flexible cord to be used instead of permanent wiring; and not labeling containers of chlorinated sanitizer and refrigeration oil. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

"Employers cannot allow workers to be exposed to unguarded equipment or other workplace hazards," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's area director in Jackson, Miss. "It is imperative that management take immediate action to eliminate the hazards identified in this inspection before another worker is injured or killed."

The citations for the serious violations carry a proposed penalty of $160,000. The citations for the other-than-serious violations do not carry monetary penalties. The citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/southern-hens-inc_62087803_03072013.pdf.*

The poultry processing plant has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Jackson Area Office at 601-965-4606.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov

###

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 216-893-7828 or TTY 216-893-7755.

* Accessibility Assistance Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.