OSHA Inspection: PASTA MONTANA, LLC

Issued

Nov 13, 2025

Abate by

Dec 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $14,895 · Current $0 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) Pasta Montana, LLC: On or about May 26, 2025, employees were exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal and electrical hazards that could result in serious injuries when the employer did not train employees to lock/tagout the Line 1 Triangle Selectech-32 Bag Machine. Employees did not control all hazardous energy sources such as, but not limited to, electrical, pneumatic, thermal and mechanical before conducting maintenance and servicing activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning the equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes.    b) Pasta Montana, LLC: On or about May 26, 2025, employees were exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal and electrical hazards that could result in serious injuries when the employer did not train employees to lock/tagout the Line 2 Triangle Model XYT15PRC Bag Machine. Employees did not control all hazardous energy sources such as, but not limited to, electrical, pneumatic, thermal and mechanical before conducting maintenance and servicing activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning the equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes.  c) Pasta Montana, LLC: On or about May 26, 2025, employees were exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal and electrical hazards that could result in serious injuries when the employer did not train employees to lock/tagout the Line 3 Alto Pack APE-PL Vertical Packaging Machine (Model APE-PL, SN 4011130). Employees did not control all hazardous energy sources such as, but not limited to, electrical, pneumatic, thermal and mechanical before conducting maintenance and servicing activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning the equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes.    d) Pasta Montana, LLC: On or about May 26, 2025, employees were exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal and electrical hazards that could result in serious injuries when the employer did not train employees to lock/tagout the Line 4 Ricciarelli Packaging System. Employees did not control all hazardous energy sources such as, but not limited to, electrical, pneumatic, thermal and mechanical before conducting maintenance and servicing activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning the equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes.    e) Pasta Montana, LLC: On or about August 28, 2025, employees were exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal and electrical hazards that could result in serious injuries when the employer did not train employees to lock/tagout on the Demaco Model S6501 W Extruder Line 3 Spreader where one employee experienced an amputation from the unexpected release of hazardous stored energy when the rotary cut-off knife unexpectedly energized. Employees did not control all hazardous energy sources such as, but not limited to, electrical, pneumatic, thermal and mechanical before conducting maintenance and servicing activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning the equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes.

Issued

Nov 13, 2025

Abate by

Dec 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $148,963 · Current $137,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(c)(4)(i): The employer does not develop, document, and utilize procedures for the control of potentially hazardous  energy when employees are engaged in activities covered by this section:  a) Line 1, Production Floor: The employer does not require the use of any form of machine specific energy control procedures to control hazardous energy of the Line 1 Triangle Selectech-32 Bag Machine Bag Machine. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. Employees were required to perform maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes while all hazardous energy sources are not controlled.   b) Line 2, Production Floor: The employer does not require the use of any form of machine specific energy control procedures to control hazardous energy of the Line 2 Triangle XYT15PRC Bag Machine Bag Machine. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. Employees were required to perform maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes while all hazardous energy sources are not controlled.   c) Line 3, Production Floor: The employer does not require the use of any form of machine specific energy control procedures to control hazardous energy of the Line 3 Alto Pack APE-PL Vertical Packaging machine Mod. APE-PL (SN 4011130). This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. Employees were required to perform maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes while all hazardous energy sources are not controlled.   d) Line 4, Production Floor: The employer does not require the use of any form of machine specific energy control procedures to control hazardous energy of the Line 4 Ricciarelli Packaging System. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. Employees were required to perform maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes while all hazardous energy sources are not controlled.   e) Line 3, Production Floor: The employer does not require the use of any form of machine specific energy control procedures to control hazardous energy of the Demaco Model S6501 W Extruder Line 3 Spreader. This violation was most recently observed on or about August 28, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana where one employee experienced an amputation from the unexpected release of hazardous stored energy when the rotary cut-off knife unexpectedly energized. Employees were required to perform maintenance activities such as, but not limited to, clearing jams, cleaning equipment, replacing jaws, and conducting wire changes while all hazardous energy sources are not controlled.

Issued

Nov 13, 2025

Abate by

Dec 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $0 · Current $0

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.147(d): The employer's established procedures for the application of energy control (the lockout or tagout procedures) does not cover the actions listed in and is not done in sequence as required by 29 CFR 1910.147(1)-(6):  a) Line 1, Production Floor: The employer does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), for the control of hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not de-energize and lockout all hazardous energy sources of the Line 1 Triangle Selectech-32 Bag Machine Bag Machine. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements; knowledge of energy, hazards to be controlled, and methods of control [1910.147(d)(1)]; orderly shutdown [1910.147(d)(2)]; locating/operating energy isolating devices [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)] are not implemented prior to maintenance and service activities.  b) Line 2, Production Floor: The employer does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), for the control of hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not de-energize and lockout all hazardous energy sources of the Line 2 Triangle XYT15PRC Bag Machine Bag Machine. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements; knowledge of energy, hazards to be controlled, and methods of control [1910.147(d)(1)]; orderly shutdown [1910.147(d)(2)]; locating/operating energy isolating devices [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)] are not implemented prior to maintenance and service activities.  c) Line 3, Production Floor: The employer does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), for the control of hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not de-energize and lockout all hazardous energy sources of the Line 3 Alto Pack APE-PL Vertical Packaging machine Mod. APE-PL (SN 4011130). This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements; knowledge of energy, hazards to be controlled, and methods of control [1910.147(d)(1)]; orderly shutdown [1910.147(d)(2)]; locating/operating energy isolating devices [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)] are not implemented prior to maintenance and service activities.    d) Line 4, Production Floor: The employer does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), for the control of hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not de-energize and lockout all hazardous energy sources of the Line 4 Ricciarelli Packaging System. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees are exposed to struck-by, caught-in-between, thermal, and electrical hazards that can result in serious injuries from the release of hazardous stored energy such as, but not limited to, thermal, electrical, pneumatic and mechanical energy. As a result, the remaining applicable energy control elements; knowledge of energy, hazards to be controlled, and methods of control [1910.147(d)(1)]; orderly shutdown [1910.147(d)(2)]; locating/operating energy isolating devices [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)] are not implemented prior to maintenance and service activities.  e) Line 3, Production Floor: The employer does not ensure that all the steps outlined in 29 CFR 1910.147(d), for the control of hazardous energy sources, are performed. Employees do not de-energize and lockout all hazardous energy sources of the Demaco Model S6501 W Extruder Line 3 Spreader. This violation was most recently observed on or about August 28, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana where one employee experienced an amputation from the unexpected release of hazardous stored energy when the rotary cut-off knife unexpectedly energized. Applicable energy control elements; knowledge of energy, hazards to be controlled, and methods of control [1910.147(d)(1)]; orderly shutdown [1910.147(d)(2)]; locating/operating energy isolating devices [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)] are not implemented prior to maintenance and service activities.

Issued

Nov 13, 2025

Abate by

Dec 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $148,963 · Current $137,500 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.212(a)(1): One or more methods of machine guarding is 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) Line 1, Production Floor: The employer does not require machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by moving parts of the Line 1 Triangle Selectech-32 Bag Machine Bag Machine. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees were required to reach around interlocked doors into running equipment with missing guards to remove misaligned bags. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards while reaching around the improperly guarded equipment.  b) Line 2, Production Floor: The employer does not require machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by moving parts of the Line 2 Triangle XYT15PRC Bag Machine Bag Machine. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees were required to reach around interlocked doors into running equipment with missing guards to remove misaligned bags. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards while reaching around the improperly guarded equipment.  c) Line 3, Production Floor: The employer does not require machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by moving parts of the Line 3 Alto Pack APE-PL Vertical Packaging machine Mod. APE-PL (SN 4011130). This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees were required to reach around interlocked doors into running equipment with missing guards to remove misaligned bags. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards while reaching around the improperly guarded equipment.  d) Line 4, Production Floor: The employer does not require machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by moving parts of the Line 4 Ricciarelli Packaging System. This violation was most recently observed on or about May 26, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees were required to reach into running equipment during spaghetti operations to remove damaged spaghetti. Employees are exposed to struck-by hazards while reaching around the improperly guarded equipment.  e) Line 3, Production Floor: The employer does not require machine guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the machine area from hazards such as those created by moving parts of the Demaco Model S6501 W Extruder Line 3 Spreader. This violation was most recently observed on or about August 28, 2025, at 1 Pasta Place, Great Falls, Montana. Employees were required to reach into the running equipment to straighten out misaligned spreader paddles and remove damaged spaghetti. Employees are exposed struck-by hazards while reaching into the unguarded equipment.

Issued

Nov 13, 2025

Abate by

Dec 10, 2025

Penalty

Initial $10,641 · Current $0 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1904.39(a)(2):The employer did not report within 24-hours a work-related incident resulting in in-patient hospitalization, amputation or the loss of an eye.  a. Pasta Montana, LLC: On or about May 17, 2025, the employer failed to report a double finger tip amputation of an employee to OSHA within 24 hours of the work related event. The amputation occurred on May 17, 2025 and OSHA was notified on May 26, 2025.