Schwan Global Supply, Inc., a frozen food producer that owns brands like Freschetta, Tony Luke’s and Mrs. Smith’s, received OSHA fines that totaled $100,000 for safety violations in its Atlanta facility.
Those fines came from four repeated, three serious and three other-than-serious violations for failing to provide safe workspace for employees. Some of the violations were for issues like failing to safeguard against accidental machine startup during maintenance, not having proper ammonia refrigeration safety procedures, not training employees or technicians about emergency action plans and not properly guarding dangerous machinery.
Sometimes, companies will refute or fight OSHA fines. This is especially likely when the fines are as high as they are in Schwan’s case. However, Schwan Global Supply accepted the fines as written as well as OSHA’s accompanying health and safety recommendations.
In issuing the fines, OSHA had recommended that the frozen food company implement new health and safety plans. According to EHS Today magazine, these include:
- 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.
This shows a great commitment to safety that other companies should follow. In choosing to accept the fines and safety improvement suggestions, Schwan is making the decision to prioritize safety over profits and to help its employees to have the safest and healthiest lives possible.
“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.”
