OSHA Hits Idaho Employer with Safety Violations

The U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued repeat, serious and other-than-serious citations against cheese maker Sorrento Lactalis Inc., for safety violations found during inspections at the company’s Nampa, Idaho plant. The citations carry proposed penalties totaling $109,000.

The serious citation alleges lack of an emergency response plan, hazardous material training, a respiratory protection program, inspections of respirators and drenching or flushing facilities for the eyes. OSHA also found violations related to open-sided floors, an inadequate alarm system, portable fire extinguishers, process safety management, confined spaces, machine guarding and electrical openings.

The repeat citation noted failure to develop and implement lockout/tagout procedures for certain equipment. These procedures render machinery inoperative during maintenance and repair. Other-than-serious violations included floor openings and holes, open-sided stairs, inadequacy of fire doors and exit marking and injury and illness recordkeeping deficiencies.

Sorrento Lactalis has 15 working days following receipt of the citations to contest the violations or request a meeting with OSHA to discuss the violation notices, including methods of correction, length of abatement periods and proposed penalties.