Pilgrim’s Pride Fined for Ammonia Leak That Hospitalized Workers

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. faces nine serious citations and $110,630 in proposed penalties after an ammonia leak hospitalized two workers at its Canton, Ga., poultry processing plant, the Department of Labor announced Monday.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found that uncontrolled temperature and pressure conditions on an ammonia refrigeration system contributed to the leak, causing liquid and vapor ammonia to disperse in the air and engulf the emergency exit doors, the Labor Department said.

OSHA cited the company for allegedly inadequately implementing and maintaining the process safety management program for controlling anhydrous ammonia hazards in industrial refrigeration systems, according to ...