OSHA accuses Watertown pizza maker of violations

WATERTOWN, Wis. (AP) — A federal agency is accusing a frozen-pizza maker in Watertown of exposing its workers to unsafe conditions.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed fines of $76,300 against Emil’s Pizza Inc. OSHA on Tuesday announced nine alleged safety and health violations.

One included an allegation that employees who processed pizzas inside a liquid-nitrogen freezer were exposed to an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. OSHA says no injuries or illnesses were reported.

Other citations included an alleged failure to train workers on the hazards of liquid nitrogen.

The company has 15 business days to comply with the fines, contest the citations or request a conference with OSHA.

Emil’s president Rick Roedl (RAY’-dul) says the company will meet with OSHA next week for an arbitration meeting and to contest the citations.