OSHA Inspection: SMITHFIELD FOODS

Issued

2025-01-22 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $16550.00 · Current $9930.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.145(a)(1):These specifications apply to the design, application, and use of signs or symbols (as included in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section) that indicate and, insofar as possible, define specific hazards that could harm workers or the public, or both, or to property damage. These specifications are intended to cover all safety signs except those designed for streets, highways, and railroads. These specifications do not apply to plant bulletin boards or to safety posters.  a) On or before 10/9/2021 the employer did not ensure that water lines and air lines were labeled with signage indicating their specific use to indicate the hazards that an authorized employee would be exposed to while performing lockout on machines such as but not limited to the Flex Line #3 Rapidpak (model #45).   b) On or before 10/9/2021 the employer did not ensure that water lines and air lines were labeled with signage indicating their specific use to indicate the hazards that an authorized employee would be exposed to while performing lockout on machines such as but not limited to the Flex Line #4 Rapidpak (model #45).

Issued

2025-01-22 00:00:00

Abate by

2025-03-03 00:00:00

Penalty

Initial $91025.00 · Current $9930.00 Reduced

General-duty citation text

1910.147(e)(1)  The machine or equipment. The work area shall be inspected to ensure that nonessential items have been removed and to ensure that machine or equipment components are operationally intact. 29 CFR  1910.147(d):Application of control. The established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) shall cover the following elements and actions and shall be done in the following sequence:  (d)(2) Machine or equipment shutdown. The machine or equipment shall be turned off or shut down using the procedures established for the machine or equipment. An orderly shutdown must be utilized to avoid any additional or increased hazard(s) to employees as a result of the equipment stoppage.  (d)(3) Machine or equipment isolation. All energy isolating devices that are needed to control the energy to the machine or equipment shall be physically located and operated in such a manner as to isolate the machine or equipment from the energy source(s).  (d)(4) Lockout or tagout device application.  (d)(4)(i) Lockout or tagout devices shall be affixed to each energy isolating device by authorized employees.  (d)(5) Stored energy.  (d)(5)(i) Following the application of lockout or tagout devices to energy isolating devices, all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy shall be relieved, disconnected, restrained, and otherwise rendered safe.  (d)(5)(ii) If there is a possibility of re-accumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, verification of isolation shall be continued until the servicing or maintenance is completed, or until the possibility of such accumulation no longer exists.  (d)(6) Verification of isolation. Prior to starting work on machines or equipment that have been locked out or tagged out, the authorized employee shall verify that isolation and de-energization of the machine or equipment have been accomplished.  a) On 10/09/2024 the employer did not ensure that (d)(2) through (d)(6) were followed by authorized employees performing servicing and maintenance operations on equipment such as but not limited to; Rapidpak (model #45) located on Flex line #4. An employees was exposed to unexpected startup when performing changing of the forming plates in that (d)(2) the Rapidpak was not shut down allowing the plates to be moved when the guard was removed  using a key on the control panel that bypassed the safety interlock for the Rapidpak.   For (d)(3) through (d)(4)(i) the energy isolation devices for the air and electric were not physically located and isolated utilizing lockout tagout devices.   For (d)(5)(i) and (ii) the air was not dumped to relieve any potential stored energy.  For (d)(6) verification of isolation was not done prior to engaging the forming plates.   The Smithfield Foods  was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 29 CFR 1910.147(d), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1656341, citation number 1, item number 6 and was affirmed as a final order on 7/26/2024, with respect to a workplace located at 801 East Kemper Road CINCINNATI, OH 45246.