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Published: 2008-10-08 11:41:18
Updated: 2008-10-08 11:41:18

Smithfield Packing fined for safety violations


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The N.C. Department of Labor imposed fines of more than $150,000 on a Tar Heel meat processor and its cleaning contractor.

Inspectors at the Division of Occupational Safety and Health determined that safety violations at Smithfield Packing Co. may have led to an accident in which a sanitation supervisor lost an arm.

The man, who has not been identified, was an employee of QSI, a company contracted to clean the plant. His employer was fined $138,600 and was cited with the following:

  • Employees were exposed to ingoing nip-points, the point where two gears mesh, while cleaning and washing down rotating conveyors.
  • Employees were not required to lock the equipment before they began their cleaning.
  • Employees were not provided training on locking the equipment.

Smithfield Packing was fined $12,600 for not providing a safe working environment.

 

 

 


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Well, # 1 is you need to understand english in order to train and be trained properly. #2, if you shut down the line then production backs up and you can't meet productivity requirements, then the managers/supervisors don't get their bonus.

Hope that arm didn't make it into the sausage.

I hope they keep up with employee employed there! If one went missing they might end up a red dog!

How obvious. Last week, Cherie Berry was being criticized for giving virtually zero fines or extremely minimal fines to safety violators, especially those who gave her large campaign contributions. Now, this week (only 27 days until the election), she fines one of those companies a large amount. Gee, I wonder if it will be reduced on appeal after the election?

In cases like this, the whole amount of the fine should be given to the injured employee(s). They need it more than the government does.

Praying for him, and am blessed the government took action.

God bless.

Rev. RB

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