The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued nine serious safety violations to Americold Logistics, a food industry provider of cold storage warehousing and logistical services.

A January 2016 complaint found the company violated OSHA's process safety management procedures for using ammonia in its refrigeration warehouse facility. An investigation found that the company failed to:

• Identify ammonia refrigeration piping by name and direction of flow.
• Correct equipment deficiencies.
• Follow good engineering practices.
• Train workers on startup procedures.
• Conduct training on confined space rescue procedures.
• Train workers on the hazardous chemicals in use.
• Close electrical openings.
• Prevent electrical equipment from being exposed to water and moisture.
   

The proposed penalties total nearly $55,000.