ATLANTA – When Schwan’s Global Supply Inc. received citations for repeated safety violations, the subsidiary of The Schwan Food Co. took swift action to resolve the matter — something that did not go unnoticed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The agency cited the subsidiary for four repeated, three serious and three other-than-serious safety and health violations at its Atlanta facility. Schwan’s Global Supply received citations in 2013 for similar violations at the facility, according to OSHA. And when faced with the new citations, the company accepted responsibility for the safety and health hazards and signed a pre-citation settlement agreement with OSHA on Jan. 15.
“We are very encouraged that Schwan recognized the safety failures that have reoccurred and is taking full responsibility,” Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA’s Atlanta East Area Office, said in a statement. “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.”
Schwan Global Supply agreed to pay penalties of $100,000 and committed to extensive enhancements and commitments to safety and health improvements including:
• 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.
Schwan manufactures frozen foods sold under several brand names, including Red Baron, Tony’s and Freschetta pizza and Mrs. Smith’s desserts.