3 for 3 With Alabama Sausage Maker Violations

December 19, 2024

 

 

OSHA Today will take its annual winter break starting Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 and resume
daily publication on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Happy Holidays to all of our valued subscribers!

 

Alabama Sausage Maker Cited for Third Consecutive Year

  • OSHA has cited Dean Sausage Co.’s Atalla, Alabama, meat processing and packing facility for repeat violations for the third time in as many years.
  • The latest citations on Dec. 3 include violations from a July 2024 inspection that found the company failed to implement and train employees on lockout and tagout procedures or provide a written hazard communication program for handling chemicals like ammonia.
  • The latest violations brought an additional $103,245 in proposed penalties.
  • In 2023, the agency found seven repeat violations and two serious ones during an inspection, eventually totalling $116,153 in penalties against the company.
  • Dean Sausage has 15 working days from Dec. 3 to respond to and pay the OSHA fines.
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Using Internet of Things for Safety, Occupational Health Poses Challenges 

  • Recently published academic research on the internet of things (IoT) deployed for occupational health and safety purposes revealed that despite the value, the deployment may involve worrying drawbacks and raise ethical issues that are overlooked by stakeholders, including businesses and device vendors.
  • The study looked at workplace sensors and devices connected through internet-based communication networks, which can collect data on work production, individual characteristics, and group dynamics.
  • The researchers said that their work clearly points out the need to assess the technology ahead of its deployment and prevent possible abuses and questionable uses.
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Airline Ordered to Pay $2M to Pilot Fired for Raising Safety Concerns 

  • OSHA has ordered Guam-based Asia Pacific Airlines to pay more than $2 million to a cargo pilot wrongfully fired for raising safety concerns about an aircraft’s faulty engine.
  • The pilot refused to fly a cargo plane they believed had an unreliable engine.
  • OSHA inspectors said the airline retaliated by reprimanding, suspending and eventually firing the pilot for what is legally protected: reporting safety issues.
  • The Federal Aviation Administration separately confirmed the pilot’s assessment, finding that Asia Pacific Airlines used incorrect troubleshooting procedures that prevented proper identification and resolution of the issue.
  • OSHA ordered the airline to pay $419,267 in back pay plus interest, eight years of future salary, $27,596 in loan interest, $75,000 for emotional damages and attorney fees.
  • Asia Pacific Airlines now has the option to appeal the decision.
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