CHICAGO – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Vienna Beef Ltd. for 10 safety violations with proposed fines of $53,000.

The violations include lack of energy control procedures; failing to train and evaluate powered industrial vehicle operators; lack of eye and face protection; walking working surfaces that were not in good repair; failing to conduct a workplace hazard assessment; and improper use of flexible electric cords. Vienna Beef also was cited for failing to protect workers from amputation hazards, such as failing to lockout and tagout equipment during maintenance and lack of machine guarding on various machines such as grinders, augers and mixers.


The citations followed a May inspection of the Chicago-based facility as part of OSHA's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which focuses on employers who log higher-than-average injury and illness rates.

Vienna Beef produces hot dogs, sausages, soups and deli meats.