DANVILLE, ILL. ‒ A large meat casing manufacturer was recently cited in an investigation by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The agency stated that Viscofan USA Inc., could have prevented employees at its Danville plant from suffering serious injuries twice in the same week in January 2024.

According to OSHA, Viscofan USA faces $197,054 in proposed penalties, which include one repeat violation, seven serious violations, and one other-than-serious violation.

OSHA inspectors responded to a report that a maintenance worker employed by Viscofan USA needed hospitalization after suffering broken bones and lacerations when caught in a roller machine on Jan. 25, 2024. While the investigation continued, OSHA found out that another employee suffered chemical burns when cleaning a pump on Feb. 1.

In both incidents, the agency determined that the company lacked adequate energy control procedures and failed to have them in place before the workers began their tasks. OSHA also found Viscofan USA did not train its employees on machine safety procedures, also known as “lockout/tag out,” and on the use of hazardous chemicals. Additionally, the agency cited the company for not reviewing energy control procedures annually. 

Founded in 1975, Danville serves as the US headquarters for Viscofan USA, which is based in Spain. Since 1990, Viscofan USA has operated in North America with about 700 employees in facilities in Danville, Montgomery, Ala. and Bridgewater, NJ.

Viscofan operates additional casing manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Czechia, Germany, Mexico, Spain and Serbia.

Viscofan USA did respond to a request for comment.

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.