(CHICAGO, ILLINOIS) - Buffalo-Headquartered Rich Products Corporation, already embroiled in a high-profile Labor Dispute on the West Coast, has had $145,000 in fines proposed against it by the U.S. Department of Labor after a 42-year-old Employee suffered a fatal injury at its Chicago-area Pizza Plant.  Federal Officials say Rich Products’ Sanitation Workers were exposed to equipment hazards during cleaning operations.

The Worker, who was employed at a Crest Hill Frozen Pizza Facility owned by Rich Products, suffered a fatal injury while cleaning a machine on July 20th, 2021.

An U.S. Occupational, Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) inspection determined Rich Products failed to implement energy control procedures - commonly known as lockout/tagout.

The company exposed its third-shift Sanitation Workers to serious hazards, OSHA said.

OSHA Chicago South Area Director James Martineck said in regards to the Worker fatality: “This preventable tragedy is another example of why employers must ensure lockout/tagout procedures are in place before allowing Workers to clean or operate machinery.  Employers who fail to follow safety standards and train Workers in operating procedures will be held accountable.”

According to a press release, OSHA issued one willful violation to the Buffalo, New York-based food manufacturer and proposed $145,027 in penalties.

The agency also placed Rich Products in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) for a willful violation that led to an Employee fatality.

The company has an extensive history of OSHA violations nationwide.

Meanwhile, Workers represented by Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM) Local 37 at the Rich Products Factory in Santa Fe Springs - located a few miles east of Downtown Los Angeles, have been on Strike for more than two months now, since November 3rd.  The Rich Products factory operates under the brand name of Jon Donaire Desserts/Rich Products Corporation and is well known for its wide variety of ice cream cakes.  Employees at the plant make cakes for Baskin Robbins, Safeway and Cold Stone Creamery. 

BCTGM Local 37’s Membership, which is composed largely of Women, mostly Latinas, have been walking the picket line 24 hours a day - demanding a fair wage increase, a reasonable workweek, proper staffing and a just contract.

Rich Products manufactures frozen pizza, desserts and other grocery items for food service, retail, in-store bakeries and delis.

The company operates about 100 locations globally and reports annual sales exceeding $4 billion.

The company employs about 375 people at its Crest Hills facility and more than 7,400 nationwide.

Rich Products was given a certain number of days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Area Director or contest the findings before the independent OSHRC.

For More Information On This Labor News Story, Go To: https://ohsonline.com/articles/2022/01/26/workers-suffer-fatal-injury-chicago-pizza.aspx and  www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region5/01242022-0.

And To Read WNYLaborToday.com’s Labor News Report On The Strike At Rich Products’ West Coast Plant, Go To: wnylabortoday.com/news/2022/01/18/national-labor-news/mostly-latina-bakery-workers-stand-tall-against-buffalo-new-york-headquartered-rich-products-as-several-u.s.-senators-including-bernie-sanders-send-a-letter-to-ceo-in-support-of-the-100-bctgm-represented-striking-workers-in-california/