OSHA cites poultry processor violations, sets $89,000 fine

MORTON, Miss. (AP) - A federal workplace safety agency is citing Illinois-based Koch Foods for violations at its chicken processing plant in Morton, Mississippi.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Friday issued citations for nine serious safety violations, proposing fines of $88,632.

Neither Koch nor the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, which represents workers in Morton, are immediately responding to requests for comment.

OSHA says it began investigating after a worker cut a finger on a conveyor in March and another worker broke two fingers on a rotating shaft in April.

The agency cites violations including unguarded moving parts, missing drain covers, missing stairway rails and chemicals leaking into an electrical outlet.

Fines are often reduced in settlement conferences.

Records show violations for the Morton plant in 2010 and 2012.