GUYMON, Okla. – Seaboard Foods faces a $51,000 penalty after an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found workers were exposed to anhydrous ammonia, a corrosive chemical.

OSHA issued seven serious citations related to the process safety management of the ammonia refrigeration systems used in the pork plant's production process. The facility operates two anhydrous ammonia refrigeration systems, OSHA noted.


The company was cited for failing to:

• provide written operating procedures addressing safety systems and function;
• develop and implement safe work practices to control hazards during operations;
• train workers involved with operating procedures involving the anhydrous ammonia process; and
• inspect and test process equipment to maintain its mechanical integrity.

Three violations were for fall, electrical and machine guarding hazards.