World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

$100K fine but praise for swift action

oshaUSA: A US food company set to pay $100K for safety violations with its ammonia refrigeration system has, unusually, been praised by the OSHA for its swift corrective action.

When US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors returned to Schwan’s Global Supply Inc manufacturing facility in Atlanta and found previously cited hazards had reoccurred, the food company’s management took an unusual step.

The subsidiary of The Schwan Food Company, a multibillion-dollar private company that sells popular frozen food brands through home delivery, the food service industry and grocery stores in North America, told OSHA the company accepted responsibility for the safety and health hazards and signed a pre-citation settlement agreement with OSHA on January 15.

“We are very encouraged that Schwan recognised the safety failures that have reoccurred and is taking full responsibility,” said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA’s Atlanta East Area office. “The company settled the citations immediately and signed the enhanced compliance agreement as part of its commitment to protect its workers and operate safely. When employers are committed to safety, everyone wins.”

OSHA cited Schwan for four repeated, three serious and three other-than-serious safety and health violations. OSHA previously cited Schwan Global Supply in 2013 for similar violations at the facility.

The agency issued serious citations to the company for failing to develop written emergency shutdown procedures for the refrigeration system an failing to train workers, technicians and first responders on emergency action plans or responder’s duties for refrigerant spills at the facility.

Other violations included the employer not reviewing operating procedures at least annually and not conducting a respirator fit-test for a first responder.

In its settlement, Schwan Global Supply will pay penalties of $100,000. In addition, the agreement includes extensive enhancements and commitments for safety and health improvements such as assuring only authorised, properly trained employees perform service and maintenance on machinery.

It will also hire a third-party consultant to conduct an audit of the facility focused on equipment, fall, electrical and guarding hazards. Training will also be provided for employees on emergency shut-down, contractors, first-responder, standard operating procedures for new machinery and keeping a log of work-related injuries and illnesses.

Latest News

17th July 2025

Probation for R404A smuggler

USA: An HVAC engineer has received three-year’s probation for intentionally failing to present refrigerant tanks for inspection when attempting to enter the United States from Mexico. On April 22, 2024,…
17th July 2025

Caverion buys Johnson Controls Finland

FINLAND: Finnish building services company Caverion has agreed the acquisition of the service and maintenance business of Johnson Controls Finland for an undisclosed sum. Based in Helsinki, the Johnson Controls…
17th July 2025

Epta acquires Hauser GmbH

ITALY/AUSTRIA: Epta, the Italian commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturer, has acquired a majority interest in Hauser GmbH, the Austrian display cabinet and refrigeration systems company.
16th July 2025

Hydrocarbon heat pumps for Solihull DHW network

UK: Refra has supplied six hydrocarbon heat pumps for a new district heating network under construction in Solihull, West Midlands.
16th July 2025

Sanhua stainless steel solenoid valve

SPAIN: Sanhua has strengthened its stainless steel portfolio with the launch of the FDF-G solenoid valve, a stainless steel, lead-free solution for refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems.
16th July 2025

ThermOzone moves to Basingstoke

UK: Compressor and chiller servicing and remanufacturing company ThermOzone, now incorporating ThermaCom, has moved to new offices in Basingstoke after 31 years in Reading.