Region 4 News Release: 12-1371-ATL (261)
July 16, 2012
Contact: Michael D'Aquino Michael Wald
Phone: 404-562-2076 404-562-2078
Email: d'aquino.michael@dol.gov wald.michael@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Quail International for 23 violations
at Greensboro, Ga., plant; proposed fines total more than $92,000

GREENSBORO, Ga. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Quail International Inc. with 23 safety and health violations at the company's Greensboro plant following an inspection that was initiated in January based on a complaint. Proposed penalties total $92,115.

Citations with $68,715 in penalties have been issued for 16 serious safety violations, including exposing workers to "struck-by" and electrical hazards as well as failing to protect workers from hand injuries, determine whether personal protective equipment such as eye protection is needed in the de-boning room, create specific steps to ensure that processing equipment will not accidentally start up while being cleaned, monthly inspect or annually maintain portable fire extinguishers and make exits in the de-boning room operable.

Citations with $23,400 in penalties have been issued for four serious health violations, including an unsanitary restroom, exposing workers to noise levels that exceed OSHA standards, and failing to provide hearing protection and annual audiograms for workers exposed to excessive noise. 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.

Citations with no monetary penalties have been issued for three other-than-serious safety violations, including using a flexible electrical cord as permanent wiring, stringing electrical wiring through holes in the ceiling and improperly splicing a flexible electrical cord with duct tape in the shipping department. 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.

"Employees have a right to expect a safe and healthy working environment, and OSHA will not allow employers to fail in their duty to protect workers," said William Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.

Quail International processes and distributes quail meat. The company 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 Atlanta-East office at 770-493-6644.

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.

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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 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.