Following an OSHA review, the Danville, IL plant operated by Viscofan USA, a subsidiary of a company based in Spain, was subjected to a penalty of $200,000. At issue were both repeat and serious violations. The initial justification for the OSHA investigation was a serious injury to a maintenance worker resulting in fractures and lacerations incurred while servicing a machine that was not protected by lockout. In the process of evaluation of records, a second incident involving chemical burns was disclosed. As with many investigations of serious injuries, Viscofan failed to train employees in safety procedures and neglected lockout/tag out procedures.
Viscofan manufactures sausage casings at the Danville plant that together with operations in Montgomery, AL and Bridgewater, NJ. Collectively employ 700. Viscofan also operates in Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Spain, the Czech Republic and Serbia.