Mars Fined After Two Workers Almost Drown In Tank Of Chocolate

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Two workers at a Mars Wrigley factory received a fine after they nearly drowned when they fell into a chocolate vat.

Two workers employed by an outside contracting company fell into the partially filled chocolate tank in June last year while performing maintenance at the Elizabethtown M&M/Mars factory in Pennsylvania, US.

According to officials, emergency rescuers were able to free the pair by drilling a hole through the tank's bottom. Both were then taken to hospitals, one by helicopter.

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The personnel were not authorized to work in the tanks, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and they were not instructed in the required equipment safety protocols.

Ingredients for Dove chocolate, which is sold as Galaxy in the UK, were mixed in the batching tank.

The factory was given a fine by OSHA of almost $14,500 (£12,000).

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The regulator's report stated the following if you want to know the specifics of the incident: "The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.”

"An employee participated in the control of hazardous energy for the Dove chocolate batching 20-micron tank. The employer did not ensure that the employee had the knowledge of the type and magnitude of the energy for the task.”

"Employees of an outside employer, I.K. Stoltzfus Service Corp., cleaned tanks, including the Dove chocolate batching 20-micron tank, owned by the onsite/host employer, Mars Wrigley.”

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"The host employer did not provide the outside employer with the correct energy control procedure or work authorization permit that included verification of flowable material isolation given the permitted entry."

A representative for Mars Wrigley stated: "The safety of our associates and outside contractors is a top priority for our business.”

"As always, we appreciate the OSHA's collaborative approach to working with us to conduct the after-action review."