When US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors returned to a frozen food manufacturing facility in Atlanta, Georgia, and found previously cited hazards had reoccurred, the management of Schwan’s Global Supply Inc. took quick action to heighten safety compliance and agreed to pay $100,000 in penalties.
The subsidiary of The Schwan Food Company, a multibillion-dollar privately held enterprise that sells frozen food products through retail grocery channels, foodservice outlets and home delivery services in North America, told OSHA the company accepted responsibility for the safety and health hazards and signed a pre-citation settlement agreement with the agency on Jan. 15.
“We are very encouraged that Schwan recognized the safety failures that have reoccurred and is taking full responsibility,” said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA’s Atlanta East Area office. “The company settled the citations immediately and signed the enhanced compliance agreement as part of its commitment to protect its workers and operate safely. When employers are committed to safety, everyone wins.”
OSHA cited Schwan, which manufactures frozen foods sold under a number of well known brand names – including Red Baron, Tony’s and Freschetta pizza, and Mrs. Smith’s dessert – at its Atlanta facility, for four repeated, three serious and three other-than-serious safety and health violations.
The agency issued repeated citations for failing to:
- Ensure workers used safety procedures to prevent unexpected machine start up during maintenance and servicing.
- Ensure machinery was properly guarded.
- Implement safety procedures for the ammonia refrigeration systems.
OSHA previously cited Schwan Global Supply in 2013 for similar violations at the same facility.
The agency issued serious citations to the company for failing to:
- Develop written emergency shutdown procedures for the refrigeration system.
- Train workers, technicians and first responders on emergency action plans or responder’s duties for refrigerant spills at the facility.
Other violations include the employer not reviewing operating procedures at least annually, and not conducting a respirator fit-test for a first responder.
In the settlement, in addition to paying penalties of $100,000, Schwan Global Supply has agreed to extensive enhancements and commitments for safety and health improvements at the manufacturing site, such as:
- Assuring only authorized, properly trained employees perform service and maintenance on machinery.
- Hiring a third-party consultant to conduct an audit of the facility focused on equipment, fall, electrical and guarding hazards.
- Conducting training for employees on emergency shut-down, contractors, first-responder, standard operating procedures for new machinery and keeping OSHA 300 logs.
- Meeting with OSHA officials quarterly to discuss the status of compliance.
Headquartered in Marshall, Minnesota, the Schwan Food Company employs approximately 14,000 people nationwide. Its Atlanta subsidiary, which has 490 workers, produces dough, cookies and pie crusts.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s workforce by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
