CHARLOTTE, NC – The North Carolina Department of Labor fined a Pilgrim's Pride plant in Marshville, NC $107,000 after an ammonia leak and explosion that occurred in August 2011. The agency also issued the plant more than 30 citations for various violations.

The plant must pay the fines and correct the violations or contest the charges. The plant was cited for multiple violations, some associated with the leak. Those violations include lack of guardrails and failure to implement an emergency plan.

The leak, which occurred Aug. 14, caused the evacuation of more than 550 employees and 25 families living near the plant. No injuries were reported, but the leak and explosion damaged the plant.