Watertown feed producer fined $160K for risks of explosion, fire from dust hazards

An animal feed producer in Watertown is facing more than $160,000 in fines after federal workplace safety inspectors uncovered two dozen health and safety violations related to risks of explosions, fire and long-term respiratory illness.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the penalties against Strauss Feeds on Thursday. The company produces milk replacer for calves and young animals.

According to OSHA, the agency conducted an inspection in February after receiving complaints of unsafe working conditions. The inspection found the company used “poor housekeeping” and failed to evaluate spaces for dust hazards with an absence of controls to reduce dust, the agency said.

That dust “created serious combustible and airborne” hazards, OSHA said. The agency also found that Strauss Feeds did not develop a written respiratory protection program and training to help workers identify dust hazards.

Strauss Feeds declined to comment. 

In a statement, OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood in Madison said unsafe levels of airborne dust can ignite suddenly and cause explosions or fires that endanger workers.

“Left unchecked, these same dust hazards can cause workers long-term health issues,” Greenwood said. “Companies that manufacture products that create excessive dust particles must use engineering systems and highly effective respiratory protection programs to protect employees from harm.”

OSHA proposed penalties of $161,332 for 19 serious and five other-than-serious safety and health violations.