Zwanenberg Food Group USA Fined $1.7 Million and Commits to Safety Overhaul at Green Township Plant
Posted in Accident & Injury, Health & Wellness, In the news, Workplace Injuries and Claims on May 22, 2024
Zwanenberg Food Group USA, based in Cincinnati, has agreed to pay a $1.7 million fine and implement significant safety improvements at its local plant following multiple investigations by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The processed food supplier, which employs approximately 175 local workers, has committed to investing $1.9 million to enhance plant safety. This decision comes after receiving citations in September 2022 and April and December 2023 due to injuries sustained by two temporary workers.
As part of the agreement, Zwanenberg Food Group USA will undertake several safety enhancements, including:
- Improving machine guarding.
- Ensuring employees use locks during third-shift sanitation.
- Developing and revising lockout procedures for all equipment.
- Training employees on new machine safety procedures.
- Conducting an independent third-party audit of all equipment.
- Having a third-party consultant audit all personal protective equipment, hazardous communication, and lockout programs.
- Meeting with OSHA at least quarterly to discuss safety and health issues.
The settlement is expected to be finalized at an Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission meeting on June 13.