cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/53152091
Following an anonymous complaint in February, OSHA inspected the plant and fined Smithfield Foods $9,931.60 after observing workers’ exposure to “amputation hazards.” This was preceded by serious citations in 2021, 2023, and 2025.
Working in a slaughterhouse is extremely dangerous. In the US, there are approximately two amputations per week, primarily due to the industry’s poor working conditions and excessively fast pace.
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As reported by KWQC, the leaders also acknowledged “community concerns” over a backlog of rendering material – animal waste, internal organs, and decaying meat – being stored outside the plant, causing a strong, unpleasant smell in the city.
Seems that the process of inspections and fines for things that break regulations is missing some very important parts if they got dinged for it 4 years in a row: escalating penalties for repeat offenses and follow up inspections when there’s anything that fails (with a plan to bring it up to code and escalating penalties for failing to meet that plan or not taking steps other than “run it anyways” when a good faith effort to get to code runs into issues (which happens)).
And the escalating penalties should be paid, at least in part, to the people put at risk by whatever bullshit they are pulling. And not just cash penalties or even portion of revenue but equity.
I think in a society where things like this are flouted we could adopt the doubling of fines with increased inspection rates and no reset on that fine. Keep fucking around, now you’re up to $1,000,000 each incident and inspectors up your ass every quarter.
Granted, ideally, since “corporations are people”, the CEO’s should be brought up on charges every time someone is maimed/killed.
Pay the families out of their would-be retirement since they’ll be in jail anyways.
If you threaten their profits they’ll stop threatening lives.