OSHA proposes large fine for San Antonio bakery

OSHA recently cited Lone Star Bakery, San Antonio, for failing to adequately protect employees from breathing a toxic substance and proposed $78,300 in fines.

OSHA cited the company for 11 willful and serious violations following an investigation that began in September when the agency received a complaint that employees were exposed to ammonia while shutting off ammonia valves at a plant. An employee received burns.

“The company did not have an effective emergency plan in place under OSHA’s process safety management standard,” said OSHA’s Austin area director Eric Harbin. “These safeguards are designed to prevent unexpected releases of toxic, reactive or flammable liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals.”

Another violation was issued for failing to provide employees with proper respiratory protection when responding to an emergency involving chemical leaks. Violations were also issued for failure to: properly train employees on the operation of opening and shutting valves containing hazardous chemicals; provide adequate machine guarding on baking equipment; protect employees from electrical hazards; and properly install forklift equipment.

Lone Star Bakery, which produces baked goods such as bread and pies and employs 515 people at two plants, had 15 days from receipt of the citation to comply.