Madison’s Schoep’s Ice Cream is facing $145,097 in fines from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after workers at the ice cream plant were exposed to anhydrous ammonia, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. Anhydrous ammonia exposure can cause respiratory injuries, as well as skin and eye burns.
Federal investigators found that AJLS Enterprises Inc., operating as Schoep’s Ice Cream at 2070 Helena St., lacked sufficient process safety management procedures to control hazardous chemical release.
OSHA issued 12 series citations and, in addition to insufficient process safety procedures, noted multiple safety and health violations. These included a lack of lockout/tagout procedures, lack of machine guarding, failure to train workers in lockout/tagout procedures, lack of a written hazard communication plan, failure to update the emergency action plan, and ladder openings not protected from fall hazards.
Within 15 days of its receipt of the citations and penalties, AJLS Enterprises must comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
