A Pennsylvania poultry processing plant is being held in contempt by a federal appeals court for refusing to pay more than $162,000 in OSHA fines.
Birdsboro Kosher Farms Corp. is being held in contempt of court by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for failing to pay $162,359 for numerous safety hazards OSHA found during two separate 2016 inspections.
The company contested multiple willful, repeat and serious violations with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), leading to a September 2019 decision that saw the OSHRC affirm the citations and penalties.
Company ignored previous order
In December 2020, on appeal with the District of Columbia court, Birdsboro’s petition for review was denied and the company was ordered to abate the violations, submit documentation on the abatement to OSHA and pay the remaining fines.
Birdsboro ignored the order and a subsequent OSHA inspection revealed that some of the violations that led to the court order were still present.
Failure to comply will lead to further sanctions
OSHA filed a petition March 18, 2022, for judgment of civil contempt, which the appeals court granted on Oct. 22, 2022. The appeals court ordered Birdsboro to pay outstanding penalties of $162,359 plus interest and fees and certify abatement of the violations within 20 days.
Failure to comply will lead to further sanctions from the appeals court to force Birdsboro to comply with the order.