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Frito-Lay Pays Fines After Fatality Investigation

Aug. 14, 2001

Frito-Lay Inc. will pay $57,000 in fines and abate the violations found during an investigation following a fatality at the company's Lubbock, Texas, plant.

EHS Today Staff

A fatal accident in February at a manufacturing plant in Lubbock, Texas, has resulted in citations by OSHA against Frito-Lay Inc. with the company agreeing to pay $57,000 in fines and abate the violations.

Frito-Lay Inc. manufactures potato chips, corn chips and other snacks at the Lubbock plant where about 193 workers are employed. Corporate offices are located in Plano, Texas.

The violations were discovered during an OSHA investigation that began Feb. 9, 2001, in response to a fatality that occurred in a confined space.

The employee fell into an oil tank, while trying to make a repair, hit his head and drowned.

The company was cited for failing to implement the confined space entry procedures.

Employees who enter and work inside a confined space must follow a precise series of steps to control hazardous conditions before entry.

by Virginia Foran

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeek, EHS Today, Material Handling & Logistics, Logistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor: Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.