Hormel sausage maker + EPA = no fines

This is kind of interesting.

Hormel Foods picked up this company when acquiring Provena Foods in Sept., 2006 for $16 million.

EPA has waived penalties against the Swiss American Sausage Company, a subsidiary of Hormel Food Corp., located in Lathrop, Calif., after the facility voluntarily reported federal Clean Air Act Risk Management Program violations.

The San Joaquin County-based food storage and distribution facility voluntarily disclosed to EPA that it had not submitted a risk management plan, as required by the Clean Air Act. The company self-disclosed the violations in accordance with EPA’s Incentives for Self-Policing: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction and Prevention of Violations policy, commonly referred to as the "audit policy."

The EPA has the discretion to eliminate penalties if it determines that a respondent has satisfied certain conditions set forth in the audit policy.

"The EPA is pleased with the responsible action taken by the Swiss American Sausage Company--it’s the responsibility of all companies to do the required reporting," said Keith Takata, Superfund Division director in the EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "It's critical that facilities using chemicals follow our chemical accident prevention rules to protect the health and safety of area residents, emergency response personnel, and the environment."

At this facility, at least 16,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia used in the refrigeration system mandated a risk management plan.

The EPA may reduce penalties up to 100 percent for violations that are voluntarily discovered, promptly disclosed to the agency, and quickly corrected. Swiss American Sausage very quickly corrected and self-disclosed its violation, EPA said.

Comments

[Ow Quit It]

No way! A company that actually recognizes, confronts, and resolves issues? Are they hiring?