OSHA Inspection: HK COOPERATIVE, INC.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,202 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.22(c): The employer did not provide, and ensure each employee uses, a safe means of access and egress to and from walking-working surfaces.  a.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about January 4, 2024, the employer did not provide employees accessing the tattoo deck above the harvest floor with a safe means of access and egress.  Employees were exposed to fall hazards when required to climb a ladder, dismount the ladder, side-step to an adjacent opening at the end of the guardrail, and then proceed to walk to their work area on the platform.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.23(b)(8): The employer did not ensure that ladders are used only for the purposes for which they were designed.  a.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about January 4, 2024, the employer did not ensure the Werner fiberglass step ladder used by employees to access the tattoo deck above the harvest floor was used according to its design. The self-supporting ladder was not unfolded with the locking cross members in place, the top step was being used, and the top of the ladder did not extend at least three feet above the upper landing of the deck, thereby exposing employees to a fall hazard.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,202 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(6)(i): The employer did not ensure that each employee less than 4 feet (1.2 m) above dangerous equipment is protected from falling into or onto the dangerous equipment by a guardrail system or a travel restraint system, unless the equipment is covered or guarded to eliminate the hazard.  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees working at the jowl removing station, were protected from fall hazards onto the unguarded auger.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $15,211 · Current $8,183 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.28(b)(14)(i):  The employer did not protect each employee on the unprotected working side of a slaughtering facility platform that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more above a lower level from falling by using one of the systems listed in 29 CFR 1910.28(b)(14)(i)(A)-(B):  1910.28(b)(14)(i)(A) Guardrail systems; or  1910.28(b)(14)(i)(B) Travel restraint systems.    a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about January 4, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees accessing the tattoo deck above the harvest floor were protected from fall hazards of 10 feet 8 inches. Employees were required to climb a ladder, dismount the ladder, side-step to an adjacent opening at the end of the guardrail, and then proceed to walk to their work area on the platform.    b. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees working off the shaver's platform located in the harvest department were protected from fall hazards up to 66 inches to the inside of the platform.    c. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees working off the shaver's platform located in the harvest department were protected from fall hazards up to 66 inches to the outside (back side) of the platform.    d. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees working off the shaver's platform located in the harvest department were protected from fall hazards up to 66 inches to the outside (back side) of the platform where the access ladder was located.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,604 · Current $4,090 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.37(a)(3): Exit route(s) were not kept free and unobstructed:   a.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about April 10, 2024, the employer did not ensure the fire exit route from the blood room was unobstructed. There was a large water pump hose blocking the fire egress route from the blood room exposing employees to hazards associated with delayed evacuation during possible emergency event.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.146(c)(3): When the employer decided its employees would not enter permit spaces, the employer did not take effective measures to prevent its employees from entering the permit spaces:   a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about April 11, 2024, the employer did not take effective measures to ensure employees were not entering permit required confined spaces. An employee was exposed to confined space hazards when entering equipment such as, but not limited to, the blood tank located in the blood room to perform cleaning activities.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,202 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(4)(i): Procedures were not developed, documented and utilized for the control of potentially hazardous energy when employees were engaged in activities covered by this section:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about April 11, 2024, the employer did not ensure machine specific lockout procedures were developed, documented, and implemented for employees accessing the area under the product dumpers in the cured meats and conversion departments. Employees were exposed to struck-by and crushed-under hazards of a moving dumper during cleaning.  b.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about April 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure machine specific lockout procedures were developed, documented, and implemented for employees sanitizing the pork shoulder cryovac in the cut department. Employees had their hands exposed to pinch points and caught-in hazards.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(d): The established procedure for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) did not cover the actions listed in and was not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(1)-(6): 1910.147(d)(1) Preparation for shutdown; 1910.147(d)(2) Machine or equipment shutdown; 1910.147(d)(3) Machine or equipment isolation; 1910.147(d)(4) Lockout or tagout device application; 1910.147(d)(5) Stored energy; and, 1910.147(d)(6) Verification of isolation.  a.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure an employee performing sanitation activities on the belly skinner located on the belly line in the cut department, locked out the electrical disconnect prior to disassembling the equipment. The employee was exposed to the hazard of being caught in the rotating drive roller and the top plastic roller if the machine were to unexpectedly start up.  b.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure an employee performing sanitation activities on the back fat skinner on the belly line located in the cut department locked out the electrical disconnect prior to disassembling the equipment. The employee was exposed to the hazard of being caught in the rotating drive roller and the top plastic roller if the machine were to unexpectedly start up.  c. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about April 11, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees accessing the area under the product dumper for the ham injection line in the cured meats department, to remove dropped ham products from the floor, locked out the equipment prior to retrieving the dropped product. The employees were exposed to being struck by the product dumper if the machine were to unexpectedly start up.  d. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about April 11, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees accessing the area under the product dumper for the hock line in the cured meats department, to remove dropped ham products from the floor, locked out the equipment prior to retrieving the dropped product. The employees were exposed to being struck by the product dumper if the machine were to unexpectedly start up.  e.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:   On or about April 22, 2024, the employer did not ensure an employee performing sanitizing work on the pork shoulder cryovac line located in the cut department, locked out the equipment prior to reaching under the cryovac hood to clean the hood seal and clean the seal bar surface. The employee was exposed to pinch points if the platnum were to move or the cyrovac hood were to lower.  As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements, involving machine isolation [1910.147(d)(3)], lock-out/tag-out device application [1910.147(d)(4)], dissipation of residual energy [1910.147(d)(5)], and verification of isolation [1910.147(d)(6)] were not implemented to protect employees from struck-by and caught-in-between hazards while employees were conducting activities such as, but not limited to, cleaning and retrieving product from the floor under the product dumpers, and sanitizing equipment on belly lines and the platnums on the cryovac.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,202 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(7)(i)(A): Authorized employee(s) did not receive training in the recognition of applicable hazardous energy sources, the type and magnitude of the energy available in the workplace, and the methods and means necessary for energy isolation and control.   a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company on or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees performing sanitizing activities on the belly skinner in the cut department were trained as lockout authorized employees, exposing them to the hazard of being caught in the rotating rollers.  b. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company on or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees performing sanitizing activities on the backfat skinner in the cut department were trained as lockout authorized employees, exposing them to the hazard of being caught in the rotating rollers.   c. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company on or about April 11, 2024, the employer did not ensure employees cleaning and retrieving dropped pork hocks from under product dumpers in the cured meats department were trained as authorized employees, exposing them to the hazard of being crushed by the raised totes.  d. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company on or about April 22 2024, the employer did not ensure employees sanitizing the pork shoulder cryovac in the cut department were trained as authorized employees under the company's lockout program, exposing them to the hazard of being caught in the pinch point created by the moving platnums and fixed portions of the equipment.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2025

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,202 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding was not provided to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by point of operation, ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips and sparks:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the front foot saw conveyor located on the shoulder line in the cut department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to shear point hazards between the conveyor flights and the conveyor frame as the flights traveled around the end of the conveyor which could result in amputation injuries.   b.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the product dumper for the ham injector line located in the cured meats department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to crushing hazards between the product dumper and the guard rail surrounding the product dumper which could result in crushing injuries.   c. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the product dumper for the ham hock line located in the cured meats department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to crushing hazards between the product dumper and the guard rail surrounding the product dumper which could result in crushing injuries.   d. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the product dumper for the ham line located in the conversion department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to crushing hazards between the product dumper and the guard rail surrounding the product dumper which could result in crushing injuries.   e.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the loin line band saw located in the conversion department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to caught-in hazards from the unguarded upper blade guide wheel on the saw which could result in amputation injuries.  f.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the pork shoulder cryo-vac line located in the cut department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to a shear point between the moving platnum and a horizontal bottom plate which could result in amputation injuries.   g.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the pork butt cryo-vac line located in the cut department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to a shear point between the moving platnum and the nylon rail which could result in amputation injuries.  h.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the pork butt cryo-vac line located in the cut department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to a shear point between the moving platnum and the upright rear post which could result in broken bones.   i. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the wire conveyor exiting the pork shoulder steam tunnel located in the cut department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to crushing hazards between the conveyor tines and the fixed exit chute of the tunnel which could result in amputation injuries.   j. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about January 4, 2024, the employer did not ensure the squeeze conveyor located on the harvest floor was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to crushing hazards as the gaps between the conveyor slats traveled around the end of the conveyor and closed which could result in broken bones and amputations.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point of operation guards were not designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of their body in the danger zone during the operating cycle:  a.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the loin line band saw located in the cut department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to contact with the unused and unguarded portion of the running blade likely to result in severe laceration when cutting pork loins.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $15,211 · Current $8,183 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(5): Fan blade guard(s) were not provided where the periphery of the blades was less than seven feet from the floor or working level:   a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the electric motor for the loin boxing line conveyor was guarded to protect employees from being exposed to  the rotating cooling blades' caught-in hazards likely to result in laceration.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Aug 1, 2024

Penalty

Initial $16,131 · Current $8,202 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(c)(2)(i):All exposed part(s) of horizontal shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform were not protected by stationary casing(s) enclosing shafting completely or by trough(s) enclosing sides and top or sides and bottom of shafting:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the powered horizontal drive shaft on the ham line skin conveyor located in the conversion department, approximately 4 feet above the work surface, was properly guarded to protect employees from caught -in hazards created by the rotating shaft.  b. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the powered horizontal drive shaft on the ham line trim calis conveyor located in the cut department, approximately 3 feet above the floor, was properly guarded to protect employees from caught-in hazards created by the rotating shaft.  c. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the powered horizontal drive shaft on the belly transfer conveyor located in the cut department, approximately 5 feet above the working surface, was properly guarded to protect employees from caught-in hazards created by the rotating shaft.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(c)(3): Vertical or inclined shafting seven (7) feet or less from floor or working platform was not enclosed with stationary casing(s):  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the powered vertical drive shaft on the Citrate #1 mix tank located in the blood room was properly guarded to protect employees from crushing injuries created by the rotating shaft.  b. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the powered vertical drive shaft on the Citrate #2 mix tank located in the blood room was properly guarded to protect employees from crushing injuries created by the rotating shaft.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Sep 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.219(e)(1)(i): Horizontal belts which had both runs seven feet or less from the floor level were not guarded with a guard that extended to at least fifteen inches above the belt:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about December 21, 2023 the employer did not ensure employees were protected from caught in hazards while placing boxes on the hind foot box conveyor directly above unguarded nip points between the belt and the drive roller and between the belt and the conveyor rollers at the pressure roller.  Employees were placing boxes within inches of the ingoing nip points.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.219(f)(3): Sprocket wheels and chains which were seven (7) feet or less above floors or platforms were not enclosed:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the chain and sprocket drive system on the overhead mono-chain conveyor above the shaver platform located on the harvest floor approximately 6 feet above the work platform, was properly guarded to protect employees from ingoing nip points created by the rotating chain and sprocket drive wheel.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.253(b)(4)(iii): Oxygen cylinders in storage were not separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 feet (1.5 m) high having a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about January 4, 2024, the employer did not ensure multiple oxygen and acetylene cylinders stored together outside on the West side of the facility, were separated thereby exposing employees to a fire hazard.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,140 · Current $5,455 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(b)(1)(i): Conductors entering cutout boxes, cabinets, or fittings were not protected from abrasions:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio:  On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the energized electrical conductors exiting the loin boxing conveyor's control panel located in the cut department were protected from abrasions. The liquid tight conduit had been pulled away from its connector on the bottom of the panel exposing employees to electrical shock.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(d)(2): Panelboards, other than the dead front externally-operable type and accessible only to qualified persons, were not mounted in cabinets, cutout boxes, or enclosures designed for the purpose and/or were not dead front:   a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about January 4, 2024, the employer did not ensure the energized 220 volt electrical panel located in the barn was equipped with a dead front covering the exposed live parts, thereby exposing employees to electrical shock hazards.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Sep 3, 2024

Penalty

Initial $10,140 · Current $5,455 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.305(g)(1)(iv)(A): Flexible cords and/or cables were used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure:   a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about January 4, 2024, flexible cords located above the squeeze conveyor on the harvest floor, used to power equipment such as but not limited to the squeeze conveyor and ceiling mounted fans, were used as a substitute for fixed wiring.  b. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about January 4, 2024, flexible cords located in the chute area between the barn and the harvest floor, used to power equipment such as but not limited to the wall heater and ceiling mounted lights, were used as a substitute for fixed wiring.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2025

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.332(b)(1): Employees were not trained in and familiar with the safety-related work practices required by 1910.331 through 1910.335 that pertained to their respective job assignments:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure employees were protected from hazards associated with live electricity when troubleshooting and replacing a three-phase 480-volt electrical motor for the ham injector line in the cured meats department by providing adequate training in and becoming familiar with the following topics:  1. What tasks require electrical protective equipment; 2. What electrical protective equipment needs to be worn; 3. How to inspect electrical protective equipment; 4. How to inspect electrical testing equipment; 5. How to perform a live dead live test with electrical testing equipment; and, 6. Arc flash hazards.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2025

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.333(a): Safety-related work practices were not employed to prevent electric shock or other injuries resulting from either direct or indirect electrical contacts, when work was performed near or on equipment or circuits which were or could be energized:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure electrical safe work practices were employed when employees performed work on electrical equipment such as, but not limited to, replacing three phase electrical motors. Employees were exposed to contact with live electricity likely to result in electrocution when performing maintenance work on these systems.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.333(b)(2)(i): The employer did not maintain a written copy of the procedures outlined in paragraph (b)(2) of 29 CFR 1910.333 and did not make it available for inspection by the Assistant Secretary of Labor and his or her authorized representatives:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not maintain documented procedures for deenergizing, locking out, and reenergizing electrical equipment. Employees performing troubleshooting and replacement work on a three-phase electrical motor without lockout procedures, were exposed to electrocution hazards.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2025

Penalty

Initial $12,676 · Current $6,019 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.335(a)(1)(i): Employees working in areas where there were potential electrical hazards were not using electrical protective equipment that was appropriate for the specific parts of the body to be protected and for the work to be performed:(a)   a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure an employee who was troubleshooting a 480-volt, three phase electric motor for the ham injector line in the cured meats department was wearing electrical protective equipment for the face, head, torso, legs, and hands. The employee was exposed to electrical shock and arc blast when when troubleshooting with an electrical testing meter.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

May 7, 2025

Penalty

Initial $63,382 · Current $10,673 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.212(a)(3)(ii): Point of operation guards were not designed and constructed as to prevent the operator from having any part of their body in the danger zone during the operating cycle:  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the shoulder saw located on the main break line in the cut department was properly guarded in that employees were exposed to contact with the unused and unguarded portion of the running blade likely to result in severe laceration when aligning pork shoulders on the conveyor.  HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company was previously cited for a violation of this Occupational Safety and Health Standard 29 CFR 1910.212(a)(3)(ii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1569741 citation number 1, item number 1 and was affirmed as a final order on March 14, 2022, with respect to a workplace located at 4413 W. Bogart Rd., Sandusky, OH 44870.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.37(b)(2): Each exit was not clearly visible and marked by a sign reading "Exit":  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about December 21, 2023, the employer did not ensure the single exit door located in the blood room was labeled as a fire exit.

Issued

Jun 17, 2024

Abate by

Jul 19, 2024

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(D): Lockout devices and tagout devices did not indicate the identity of the employee applying the device(s):  a. HK Cooperative, Inc. dba J. H. Routh Packing Company located in Sandusky Ohio: On or about April 10, 2024, the employer did not ensure the two lockout locks applied to the electrical disconnects for the large and small polishers located on the harvest floor, indicated the identity of the sanitation employee that applied them prior to performing the sanitation work.