Rich Products Corp. has been hit with a proposed fine of $145,207 by the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration for an accident that left a worker dead last year.
The accident occurred at Rich’s frozen pizza plant in Crest Hill, Ill, on July 20, 2021. OSHA said in an announcement that plant personnel failed “to implement energy control procedures ¬– commonly known as lockout/tagout.” The victim was a 42-year-old sanitation worker on the third shift.
OSHA placed Rich Products in its Severe Violator Program. “The company has an extensive history of OSHA violations nationwide,” the announcement said.
In a statement to the Buffalo News, Rich Products said: “Since the accident occurred in July 2021, Rich’s changed plant leadership, reinforced training protocols and met repeatedly with associates to explain the importance of safe and careful operations of equipment in the Crest Hill plant."
