De QUEEN, Ark. (AP) -- Federal officials are proposing $170,000 in fines for a Pilgrim's Pride poultry plant at De Queen, Ark., alleging 11 safety violations.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the plant could have exposed workers to hazardous chemicals. The company said it's reviewing the complaint and said no employee had been injured.
OSHA said it found nine serious violations, one repeat violation and one willful violation. In the most serious violation, the federal officials said the company failed to document that an emergency shutdown system in an engine room would correctly handle an ammonia leak.
Inspectors began reviewing the company's refrigeration system in January.
OSHA says the De Queen plant has 1,400 workers. The company has 15 days to contest the findings, seek a formal review or agree with the agency's findings.
