Occupational Health and Safety from the United States

November 02, 2021

As temperatures rise, US Department of Labor prepares legislation to protect workers, outdoors and indoors, from heat hazards

The United States Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings

February 12, 2021

Washington Potato lays off 62 workers at Warden facility

The Washington Potato Co. facility in Warden still smolders the next morning and smoke fills the air after a fire broke out in a potato dehydrator the afternoon of Jan. 21, prompting a response from fire departments across Grant and neighboring Adams counties.

Overnight, the Washington Potato Company potato dehydration plant in Warden, Washington, burned down.

January 22, 2021

Washington Potato Company Dehydration Plant in Warden destroyed by fire.

The Washington Potato Company potato dehydration plant in Warden, Washington, was destroyed by a massive fire overnight. The fire caused the immediate evacuation of about a third of nearby town of Warden (pop: 2700) for several hours due to concerns that an ammonia tank located in the plant could burst.

April 28, 2020

Grand Forks Simplot plant to close for two weeks

The J.R. Simplot potato processing plant in Grand Forks has closed for two weeks, beginning on Thursday, April 23.

July 15, 2019

Tips for keeping farm workers safe from heat stress

Heat-related illness is one of the most common maladies to befall outdoor workers, particularly in agricultural settings.

September 23, 2018

Simplot potato processing plant in Grand Forks damaged by fire

An equipment fire at the Simplot potato processing plant in Grand Forks, ND late last Wednesday, forced employees to evacuate and caused an estimated USD 150.000 of damage.

June 20, 2016

Washington Potato Company fined $213,160 for repeating workplace safety violations

Repeated serious safety violations have resulted in a serious workplace injury and in a large fine for the Washington Potato Company, a potato processing company in Warden, Washington.

Potato Processor Dickinson Frozen Food fined 273 K for Major Health and Safety violations related to Ammonia Leak.

June 02, 2016

Potato Processor Dickinson Frozen Food fined 273K for Health and Safety Violations related to Ammonia Leak

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found an Idaho frozen food manufacturer failed to safeguard employees and was unprepared to respond to a potentially lethal release of 1,300 lbs. of anhydrous ammonia on Dec. 1, 2015.

November 04, 2015

Fire at Kettle Foods Beloit limited to fryer vat

A fire in a centrifugal cooking vat in the Kettle Foods potato chips factory in Beloit caused no injuries but about USD 170.000 damage in contents

Conagra Foods 2015 Corporate Sustainability Report

September 24, 2015

Conagra Foods publishes 2015 citizenship (CSR) report

ConAgra Foods, Inc. (NYSE: CAG) today announced it has issued its 2015 Citizenship Report. The report tracks progress on the company's three-pronged Citizenship platform: Good Food, Stronger Communities and Better Planet.

August 10, 2015

Quick action by employees prevents major fire damage at McCain Foods Plover

A fire chief credits quick action by employees for a short interruption of work at a McCain potato processing plant in Plover, Wisconsin.

October 23, 2014

Worker loses four fingers in workplace accident

Oregon’s Occupational Safety and Health Division is investigating how an employee at Oregon Potato Co. in Boardman severed four fingers on her right hand in a workplace accident

April 24, 2014

McDonald's recognizes Simplot for Community Service

Simplot's Safety Days initiative was recently recognized by McDonald’s Corporation as demonstrating best practices in the “Community Impact” section of the company’s Sustainable Supply awards.

Backer's sour cream and onion potato chips

February 06, 2014

Fire damages Backer's Potato Chips plant

A fire at Backer's Potato Chips plant in Missouri on Tuesday will keep the facility closed for the rest of the week after a brief fire caused some damage but no injuries

September 20, 2012

Popcorn Consumer awarded $7.2 million in diacetyl flavouring lawsuit

A U.S. federal court jury on Wednesday awarded a Colorado man $7.2 million in damages for developing a chronic condition known as popcorn lung from a chemical used in flavouring microwave popcorn. Jurors agreed with the claims by Wayne Watson, 59, tha...

May 17, 2012

Pipe failure likely cause ammonia leak Lamb Weston potato processing plant

A pipe failure in the refrigeration system caused the ammonia leak that resulted in a potato-processing plant evacuation Tuesday and 11 people being treated by medics, the Boardman fire chief said. The incident occurred at around 9.30 pm tuesday in th...

January 27, 2012

Oregon Potato Company pays EPA penalty for failing to report ammonia release

Oregon Potato Company failed to report an anhydrous ammonia release at their facility in Warden, Washington and will pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a $66,235 penalty.

May 31, 2011

Plant worker handling diacetyl awarded $814,500 for 'popcorn lung'

A plant worker won an $814,500 judgment in Baltimore County Circuit Court after claiming he contracted a rare lung disease known as "popcorn lung"from breathing diacetyl, a chemical used to make food taste buttery.