Meatpacking plant reaches settlement with OSHA - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

AUSTIN, Minn. (KTTC) -- Quality Pork Processors, Inc. and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have reached a settlement after the meatpacking plant contested three citations.

OSHA found three serious safety violations after a routine inspection in April.

The violations could have potentially put cleaning crews at risk of being exposed to hazardous materials if workers didn't follow proper "lockout" procedures. Quality Pork Processors, Inc. disputed those claims and met with OSHA. After QPP made its case to the administration, OSHA agreed to reduce the fine under the condition that the problems be addressed.

"We often reduce penalties if they agree to fix it and beef up their training programs for employees," said Minnesota OSHA spokesman James Honerman. "And once again, our goal is really that employees go home safe and healthy and that's really the goal of almost every employer in the state."

According to Minnesota OSHA, officials often meet and work with employers when violations are contested in order to settle the case.

KTTC has reached out to Quality Pork Processors, Inc. multiple times but did not receive a call back.

Click here to view the OSHA report.