Pilgrim's Pride Waco plant was evacuated March 14 after an ammonia leak in part of the building. According to KTWX, no injuries were reported; however, at least one person was taken to the hospital by a family member. The Waco fire department confirmed at least 15 firefighters were involved in the case.
This is not the first time the Waco plant has had issues with ammonia leakage. Pilgrim's Pride was fined $122,000 by OSHA in 2016 for what was described as a “dangerous ammonia release” at the Waco plant. According to the agency, federal inspectors were able to determine that 79 pounds of anhydrous ammonia was released on Sept. 28, 2015 at the Texas plant.
OSHA has also cited Pilgrim's Pride for similar ammonia violations at its Nacogdoches, Texas plant in February 2015 and its De Queen, Arkansas plant in July 2013.
