ATALLA, Ala. — Dean Sausage Company, a long-standing Alabama meat processing facility, faces $103,245 in fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for repeated safety violations. Founded in 1955 by Perk and Opal Dean, the company has grown from a home kitchen operation to a prominent supplier across the Southern United States.
OSHA’s July 2024 inspection revealed three repeat violations, including failure to implement machine-specific lockout/tagout procedures and inadequate employee training. The company also lacked a written hazard communication program for handling hazardous chemicals. These issues mirror earlier findings from inspections in 2022 and 2023, where Dean Sausage was cited for serious violations such as improper machine guarding and unsafe electrical installations.
Despite previous penalties exceeding $116,000 in March 2024 for similar infractions, the company has not addressed these critical safety concerns. OSHA’s ongoing scrutiny highlights persistent risks at the Attalla facility, emphasizing the need for improved workplace safety measures.