SYRACUSE, NY – Following a September 2017 inspection, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined Summit Milk Products for ongoing failure to protect employees against burns at its facility.
The Waterloo, NY-based cheese and dairy products manufacturer faces a total of $143,954 in proposed penalties for uncorrected and new hazards.
OSHA inspected the facility after Summit failed to inform the department about how it corrected violations identified during a January 2017 inspection that was initiated after employees were seriously burned from heated milk in excess of 150 degrees.
OSHA issued citations for failing to provide adequate personal protective equipment, and not recording injuries in the OSHA 300 log.
“Workplace injuries are preventable if employers provide appropriate safety equipment and required training,” said Christopher Adams, OSHA Syracuse Area Office Director. “Despite being cited three times in the past 14 months for similar hazards, this employer disregarded safety requirements and their employees were severely burned.”
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
