(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The federal government has proposed nearly $3 million in penalties against a frozen pizza-making company in north suburban Gurnee.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, has cited Miracapo Pizza Company with 16 “willful egregious” safety violations -- its most severe -- and 13 other violations following the on-the-job death of a contract worker in December.
OSHA says the 29-year old temporary worker was using compressed air to clean a spiral conveyor as it moved to cool pizza when her head became caught in the machinery.
The agency found that temporary workers had not been trained or given the authority to stop equipment before cleaning it.
“This tragedy took the life of a young woman, and forever changes the lives of her family, friends and co-workers. Safety standards are put in place to prevent these kinds of tragedies,” Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker said in a news release. “Employers have a responsibility to train workers in the language they understand so they know how to perform their work safely.”
The death happened weeks after a maintenance worker suffered an amputation at the same facility and more than a year after a third worker had the tip of a finger amputated while trying to clear a jammed machine.
Miracapo Pizza responds saying it is proud of its safety record and disagrees with OSHA’s findings but remains committed to working with the agency to find the best outcome for all.
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