OSHA Inspection: WESTLANDS, INC.

Issued

Feb 11, 2003

Abate by

Mar 16, 2003

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not
furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment
which were free
from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or
serious physical harm
to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of becoming
entrapped in walk-in
freezers and refrigerators:
a)  Westlands, Inc. & 22110 County Road 8, Meeker, CO: On or about 8/19/02,
the employer did not ensure that employees were trained in the proper use
of the
internal release mechanism of the American Panel walk-in freezer in the
Old Lodge.
On August 15, 2002, an employee became entrapped and died in the freezer
due to
improperly using the mechanism.
Abatement Note: Feasible abatement methods include, but are not limited
to, training
employees in the proper use of the internal release mechanism of the
walk-in freezer and
refrigerator.
Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for
this item (see
enclosed "Sample Abatement Certification Letter").