OSHA Inspection: GREAT LAKES CHEESE OF WISCONSIN

Issued

Jan 23, 2004

Abate by

May 31, 2004

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish
employment and a place of employment that were free from recognized
hazards and were
causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees:
On or about October 15, 2003, employees were exposed to thermal burn
hazards while operating
the cheese cooker.  Employees were exposed while cooking processed cheese
or while cleaning
the cheese cooker with a solution of hot water and cleaning chemicals.
Among others, a feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is to
maintain the cooker
at atmospheric pressure at all times while it is in operation. A. Provide
a pressure sensor to
automatically shut off heat source if cooker rises above atmospheric
pressure.  B. Provide a
visible pressure sensor so that the operator can manually kill the heat
source if the cooker rises
above atmospheric pressure.  C. Install cheese cookers that cook and clean
in a closed, fully
automated system.

Issued

Jan 23, 2004

Abate by

Feb 4, 2004

Penalty

Initial $10,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced