The Department of Labor found Dean Sausage Co.’s meat processing and packing facility in Atalla, Alabama repeatedly neglected safety standards during inspections over the past three years, exposing employees to unsafe working conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued citations on December 3, citing violations from a July 2024 inspection that revealed inadequate machine safety procedures, lack of employee training, and missing electrical panel covers. Despite prior citations and penalties exceeding $109,000, similar hazards at the facility persisted, leading to an additional $103,245 in proposed penalties this year.
Dean Sausage had three repeat violations in July, including failing to implement and train employees on lockout and tagout procedures, and provide a written hazard communication program for handling chemicals like ammonia. OSHA cited 2,538 lockout and tagout procedure violations in fiscal year 2023, making it the sixth most cited standard by the agency. For its new citations, Dean Sausage was found using electric power and lighting installations unsafely, exposing employees to various hazards such as electric shock, burns, and hazardous chemicals.
In 2023, OSHA found seven repeat violations and two serious ones during an inspection, eventually levying $116,153 in penalties against Dean Sausage. As of the 2023 citation, the company produces sausage and frozen biscuit sandwiches for the southern U.S. market and employs 85 workers at its Attalla facility. Dean Sausage has 15 working days from December 3 to respond to and pay the OSHA fines, but the company did not immediately respond to Manufacturing Dive for comment.
The food manufacturing sector had a total of 61,400 injury and illness cases in 2023, at a rate of 3.6 cases per 100 full-time employee workers, down from 4.6 in 2022, according to a DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics report. Dean Sausage joins other manufacturers with recent repeat violations, such as Hailiang Copper Texas and Konz Wood Products, who faced significant penalties for dangerous working conditions at their facilities.
In September, OSHA cited Hailiang Copper Texas $253,750 in proposed penalties after two federal workplace safety investigations found hazardous conditions at its Sealy, Texas facility. In June, Konz Wood Products was issued $177,453 in penalties after a worker was fatally struck by machinery, leading to citations for lack of lockout and tagout procedures and failure to provide fall protection. These cases highlight the importance of maintaining safety standards in manufacturing facilities to protect employees and prevent accidents.
Overall, the repeated violations at Dean Sausage Co.’s facility demonstrate a concerning pattern of neglecting safety standards and putting employees at risk. It is essential for companies in the food manufacturing sector to prioritize workplace safety, implement proper training programs, and address any safety hazards promptly to ensure the well-being of their workers and avoid costly penalties from regulatory agencies like OSHA. By taking proactive measures to maintain a safe work environment, companies can protect their employees, uphold their reputation, and avoid potential legal and financial consequences associated with safety violations.