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.