Poultry Plant Deaths 'Entirely Avoidable': Labor Department

GEORGIA — The deaths of six workers due to leaking liquid nitrogen at a Gainesville poultry plant were “entirely avoidable,” according to a Department of Labor statement released Friday.

As a consequence, four companies involved with running the plant are facing close to $1 million in federal fines.

“Six people’s deaths, and injuries suffered by at least a dozen others, were entirely avoidable,” Labor Secretary Marty Walsh said in Friday’s statement. “The bottom line is no one should leave for work wondering if they’ll return home at the end of the day.”

The four companies — Foundation Food Group and Messer LLC of Bridgewater, New Jersey, along with Packers Sanitation Services of Kieler, Wisconsin, and FS Group of Albertville, Alabama — were cited for 59 violations among them by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA is proposing a total of $998,637 in penalties.

OSHA’s investigation follows a horrific accident on Jan. 28 when liquid nitrogen used to flash-freeze chicken was accidentally released at a production line at the Foundation Food Group plant in Gainesville. Six workers — residents of Gainesville, Dawsonville and Clermont — died from asphyxiation as a result. At least a dozen more were sent to area hospitals for treatment.

Multiple violations were cited involving the use of liquid nitrogen and evacuation in case of an emergency.

“This horrible tragedy could have been prevented had the employers taken the time to use — and teach their workers the importance of — safety precautions,” OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer said in the statement. “Instead, six workers died as a result of their employers’ failure to follow necessary procedures and comply with required safety and health standards.”

Read the statement from the U.S. Department of Labor.

RELATED:

• Asphyxia From Liquid Nitrogen Exposure Killed Workers: Autopsies
• Liquid Nitrogen Leak Causes Deaths At Gainesville Food Plant