La Quesera Mexicana, L.L.C., a cheese-processing factory located at 121 Hankins Street, off Snapps Ferry Road and Bohannan Avenue, received nine serious penalties following an investigation due to a chemical leak in December 2023.
The inspection, conducted by the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA), resulted in citations totaling almost $21,000. According to TOSHA’s report, on December 20th a total of 21 employees were admitted to the hospital for treatment after being exposed to hazardous chemicals in two separate instances.
According to TOSHA, among the most severe violations was the company not having procedures in place during maintenance on an evaporator and a pressure relief valve. The company did not have information, signage, or instructions in place or readily accessible regarding the safe operation of the ammonia refrigeration system. Additionally, the company failed to install alarm systems to warn employees of a fire or other emergencies and did not properly inform or train employees on hazardous chemicals effectively.
Operations at the facility were totally halted for several months after the releases that occurred in December, according to TOSHA. The violations could have caused death or serious physical harm to employees. La Quesera Mexicana was advised to correct these violations and provided with methods on how to address the hazards. Each violation should be corrected by July 5th unless an extension is requested or there is a notice of contest filed.
