OSHA cites hummus plant in worker's death

TAUNTON, Mass. (WPRI) - Calling the December 2011 death of a worker a "needless and avoidable loss of life," federal authorities Monday cited a Taunton hummus-making plant for 18 alleged violations.

Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said among the violations, employees at Tribe Mediterranean Foods lacked vital training. The company now faces $702,300 in proposed fines.

Daniel Callazo, 28, was cleaning and sanitizing a machine used in the hummus manufacturing process on Dec. 16, 2011 when his arm got stuck . OSHA said Callazo was pulled into the machine and crushed.

• PDF: View all citations against company

OSHA said its inspectors found the company failed to train Callazo and six other workers on the sanitation crew how to properly shut down machines and lock out their power sources before cleaning.

“The employer knew it needed to train these workers so they could protect themselves against just this type of hazard but failed to do so. The result was a needless and avoidable loss of life,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.

Of the 18 violations, OSHA issued Tribe Mediterranean Foods - a subsidiary of Nestle SA - seven willful citations for lack of training, one for each untrained worker exposed to the hazard.

A willful citation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law or with indifference to worker safety, OSHA said.