Department of Labor finds Wisconsin animal food plant exposed workers to explosion, fire, respiratory hazards from airborne dust, cites 24 violations

WATERTOWN, WI – Federal workplace safety inspectors found a Wisconsin animal food producer exposed employees to the risks of explosions, fires and long-term respiratory illnesses from excessive amounts of airborne dust, among two dozen safety and health violations they identified. 

The findings follow an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration at Strauss Feeds LLC of Watertown in February 2024 after the agency received complaints of unsafe working conditions. 

OSHA inspectors found the company’s poor housekeeping, its failure to evaluate spaces for dust hazards, and an absence of engineering controls to reduce dust, created serious combustible and airborne dust hazards. The agency also determined Strauss Feeds did not develop a written respiratory protection program that includes medical evaluations, fit-testing, monitoring and training workers to recognize dust hazards. 

“Unsafe levels of airborne dust can ignite suddenly, causing explosions and fires that jeopardize the safety of workers. Left unchecked, these same dust hazards can cause workers long-term health issues,” explained OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood in Madison, Wisconsin. “Companies that manufacture products that create excessive dust particles must use engineering systems and highly effective respiratory protection programs to protect employees from harm.”

OSHA also noted workers were exposed to hazards from walking and working surfaces, falls, confined space and the operation of industrial trucks and forklifts when combustible dust hazards were present, increasing the risks of fire and explosion. 

Inspectors cited Strauss Feeds for 19 serious and five other-than-serious safety and health violations. OSHA has assessed the company $161,332 in proposed penalties.

Founded in 1875 as a small, water-powered mill on a farm in North Manchester, Indiana, Strauss Feeds today makes milk replacer for calves and other young animals. The company is in its sixth generation of family ownership.

Learn more about respirable and combustible dust and safety precautions to protect workers. 

Learn more about OSHA.