OSHA fines beef plant for safety violations

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A western Wisconsin beef plant has been cited for 11 workplace safety violations, after an electrical accident last December that killed an employee.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is recommending $186,000 in fines against the VPP Group.

Edgar Rodriguez-Becerra, 31, of Viola died in the mishap at the Valley Pride Packing plant at Norwalk in Monroe County. OSHA said the man was electrocuted as he was fixing a leaky water pipe near equipment that was not designed for use in wet areas.

The government said VPP committed two willful violations: Placing electrical equipment where water could accumulate and failing to use protection equipment against falls by workers on “I-beams.”

The plant employs 111 employees. Another worker was also electrocuted there in June of 2009. The firm has received a total of 41 safety violations and has 15 days to pay the latest fines, challenge the new citations, or ask for a settlement conference.

Tags: business, health, wisconsin