Meat Processor has Trouble in Dodge City

Aug. 8, 2002
Dodge City, Kansas: The scene of many a gunfight between the law-abiding marshal and bad guys in movies about the Old West. Although they're not U.S. marshals and don't resemble John Wayne, investigators from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) showed up in Dodge recently to enforce one law: the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Federal investigators issued 28 citations for alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act to a Farmland National Beef meat processing plant in Dodge City with proposed penalties totaling $112,200.

OSHA issued 17 serious citations for hazards related to unprotected floor holes, inadequate machine guarding, lack of fall protection for employees on the roof or near dangerous equipment and other safety-related problems. Serious citations are ones in which there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazardous condition and the employer knew or should have known of the hazard.

Farmland National Beef, the fourth-largest meat processing company in the United States, has 15 days to contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission or to request an informal conference with the area director.

About the Author

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is the former content director of EHS Today, and is currently the EHSQ content & community lead at Intelex Technologies Inc. She has written about occupational safety and health and environmental issues since 1990.

Sponsored Recommendations

June 23, 2025
Learn about lone working laws in the US, key hazards and risks, and get actionable advice on how to keep your lone workers safe.
June 23, 2025
Chemical substitution can quickly get messy, with unclear steps and the risk of swapping one hazard for another. This checklist helps you avoid costly mistakes, prioritize which...
June 23, 2025
A mature approach to health and safety means making safety a core part of your culture, where everyone plays a role and performance is measured by more than just numbers. In this...
June 23, 2025
Behavior-based safety focuses on observing and encouraging safe behaviors to reduce workplace risks. Experts explain how strong safety culture, clear methods, and digital tools...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!