A company that provides meat to the fast food industry exposed its workers to the potential release of anhydrous ammonia, according to Dean Ikeda, OSHA regional administrator in Seattle.

Ikeda said an investigation last year as part of a national emphasis program on chemical facilities found that CTI-SSI Food Services LLC disregarded industry-recognized standards. “Additionally, OSHA identified serious electrical, lockout/tagout and fall hazards,” Ikeda said.

OSHA has cited Wilder, Idaho company with 15 serious, one repeat and one other-than-serious violation after an inspection of its facility identified a potential release of anhydrous ammonia and other workplace hazards. Proposed penalties total $132,000.

The serious violations involve inadequate process safety management, failing to provide fall protection and failing to provide electrical guarding protection. In addition, the employer did not require use of locking devices to make equipment safe during maintenance procedures.

A repeat citation was issued due to the lack of an employee alarm system that was audible or recognizable over other workplace noise. The company was cited for the same violation on March 7, 2008.

Finally, the company was issued one other-than-serious citation for failing to monitor airborne chromium exposure.