WASHINGTON- Seaboard Foods LLC and the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently settled on previous injury citations.

The initial citation started after the company allegedly exposed workers to ergonomic hazards associated with repetitive motion and lifting at its Guymon, Okla., pork processing plant. 

In the filing, Seaboard agreed to pay $6,826 thirty days after the agreement was reached. After a six-month inspection, OSHA initially cited the company for a possible fine of $27,306. 

OSHA also withdrew one of the two citations in the final agreement. Various abatements were added in the filing as well including Seaboard redesigning and reconstructing a line to eliminate bending below the waist and lifting over shoulder height boxes weighing approximately 50 lbs. or more. 

“The long-term abatement will be completed on or before August 31, 2022,” the filing said. “Seaboard will provide OSHA with documentation within 10 days of completing the long-term abatement.”

As part of the agreement, Seaboard did not admit to any violation of the OSHA Act, regulations or standards. 

After the initial citation, Seaboard released a statement about its position with OSHA.

“Seaboard Foods cooperated fully with the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection at our Guymon, Okla., pork processing plant and we are aware of the citations,” said David Eaheart, senior director of communications and brand marketing at Seaboard Foods in December 2021. “Our employees’ safety is always a top priority. Safety is a guiding principle for decisions we make as a company and programs we put in place. We will continue to cooperate with OSHA to resolve the citations.”