Region 6 News Release: 11-860-DAL
June 14, 2011
Contact: Elizabeth Todd Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: todd.elizabeth@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites San Antonio
bakery company for exposing workers to amputation hazards

SAN ANTONIO – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Bimbo Bakeries USA in San Antonio for 10 serious violations following a safety and health inspection at the company's work site in San Antonio after investigators found workers exposed to numerous workplace hazards, including the danger of amputations. Proposed penalties total $55,000.

"This company failed to provide the required machine guarding to prevent amputation incidents," said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in San Antonio. "In this case, it is fortunate that no one was injured."

OSHA began its inspection on April 14 at the company's facility on South Gevers Street where employees were manufacturing bread products. The investigation was part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations.

The violations include failing to provide appropriate machine guarding on equipment, such as the automated bread oven; provide fall protection for employees working on top of the ovens; provide guarding for belts, pulleys and keyed shaft ends; and ensure electrical deficiencies were corrected, including exposed electrical wiring and improperly grounded cords. Additionally, the employer failed to provide procedures and methods to control hazardous energy for equipment with multiple energy sources. 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.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in San Antonio or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's San Antonio Area Office at 210-472-5040. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

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, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.