SANDUSKY, OHIO — An Ohio pork processing facility was recently issued 43 violations of federal regulations after an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
According to the report, the agency conducted inspections of HK Cooperative Inc., which operates under J.H. Routh Packing Co., in December 2023 and January 2024 after a local government agency notified OSHA that two workers suffered exposure to ammonia gas during maintenance of a refrigeration system.
OSHA has assessed J.H. Routh Packing $528,441 in proposed penalties.
During the investigation, the agency categorized 40 serious violations and two other-than-serious violations and one repeat violation. The company also received one repeat violation for exposing employees to amputation and other serious hazards due to inadequate point-of-operation guarding on a meat saw, according to the report.
Some of the violations listed by OSHA for hazards Included:
- Lack of fall protection
- Noise exposure
- Inadequate permit-required confined space procedures
- Lack of an emergency eyewash/shower
- Lockout/tagout procedures for machines
- No hazard communication plans
- Electrical safety related work practices
- Failure to mark all exits
- Unsafe electrical equipment and installations
- Lack of lockout devices
- Lack of personal protective equipment
- Unsafe walking working surfaces and stairways
A previous OSHA citation regarding J.H. Routh Packing included a serious violation in March 2024 for failing to protect employees from bloodborne pathogens. The agency assessed a $13,828 penalty, which the pork processor is currently contesting. In November 2023, violations were issued for electrical hazards, machine guarding and for improperly maintained tools.
OSHA said the facility slaughters hogs for pork product and animal feed production and employs 372 people in Sandusky, Ohio.
The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
