BIRDSBORO, Pa. – A Pennsylvania chicken processor is facing financial penalties for worker safety hazards investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Birdsboro Kosher Farms Corp. was cited for two willful and eight serious safety and health violations, the agency reported.

The citations stem from an investigation launched in April after a worker suffered an amputated thumb while operating a mixing machine at the company’s facility. At that time, OSHA also reviewed previous OSHA inspections conducted in 2013, 2014 and 2015. OSHA said the inspection revealed “a deficient system for protecting workers from the hazards associated with the unexpected start-up of machinery and issued the willful citations.”

The serious violations included uncovered floor holes, a deficient hearing conservation program, and inadequate egress signage, in addition to the company's failure to secure compressed gas cylinders, a failure to provide sanitary personal protective equipment or specialty foot protection at no cost to employees, and failure to post permit-required confined space signs.

OSHA is proposing $317,477 in penalties.