Pepsi Bottling Facility Fined $15K for Serious Workplace Safety Violations
Following inspections by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA), a Pepsi bottling facility in Indianapolis has been fined $15,600 for seven serious workplace safety violations.
The violations, cited at the Pepsi Beverage Company Bottling Group LLC facility located at 5411 W. 78 Street in Indianapolis, were identified during inspections conducted on December 21, 2023.
Here’s a breakdown of the violations and penalties imposed:
- Slip and Fall Hazard: Wet walkways in a production process line area posed slip, trip, and fall hazards. Penalty: $1,950.
- Fire Hazard: Exits were obstructed, exposing employees to fire hazards. Penalty: $1,300.
- Protective Helmets: Employees were not wearing protective helmets in areas with potential head injury risks. Penalty: $3,900.
- Machine Guarding: Inadequate guarding of a machine exposed employees to caught in-between hazards. Penalty: $3,900.
- Incorrect Use: Improper use of electrical equipment, including plugging into incorrect receptacles. Penalty: $1,300.
- Incorrect Use of Flexible Cords: Flexible cords and cables were used for prohibited purposes. Penalty: $1,300.
- Faulty Extension Cord: A broken 100-foot extension cord was improperly plugged into a metal receptacle. Penalty: $1,950.
The safety order noted that most violations were corrected during the inspection, except for the fire hazard issue, which needed to be addressed by March 8.
PepsiCo has been contacted for comment on the Safety Order, and IOSHA confirmed that all penalties have been paid, and an informal settlement agreement was reached.
