Strauss Feeds located in Watertown, WI. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational, Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for excessive airborne dust in the environment of their feed mill.  Following an inspection during February 2024, the Agency identified 24 safety and health violations essentially attributed to poor housekeeping and maintenance.  The feed mill failed to evaluate workspaces for dust hazards and allowed accumulation of combustible dust representing a health hazard.

OSHA area director Chad Greenwood noted, “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.”

In addition to the problem of dust, the inspection revealed additional hazards relating to unsafe walking and working surfaces and operation of forklifts within spaces with accumulation of combustible dust.