Associated Press Published

Pilgrim's Pride Cited for Safety Violations

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Federal regulators have cited Pilgrim’s Pride for safety violations at the company’s poultry processing plant in Moorefield.

The U.S. Department of Labor said Tuesday that the violations stem from three worker injuries in April, May and June. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that the injuries were caused by preventable violations.

The Department Labor says one employee suffered a fractured arm after contacting an unguarded machine shaft while operating a conveyor system. Another employee fell while refilling a machine with an inadequate step for employee access.

The third worker was caught in a blender while removing poultry from the machine. Three fingers were amputated.

A Pilgrim’s Pride spokesman didn’t immediately return telephone and email messages on Tuesday.

OSHA has proposed fines totaling $46,825.