Worker killed after her head gets caught in machinery at frozen pizza plant, feds say

A 29-year-old woman working as a temporary sanitation worker was killed after her head was caught in machinery at a frozen pizza manufacturing plant in Illinois, authorities said.

Now, about six months after her death, federal investigators say her death could have been prevented.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation into Miracapo Pizza Company, doing business as Little Lady Foods, and XCEL Staffing Solutions LLC after the employee was killed in December.

Investigators found that the woman was fatally injured while working an overnight shift at Miracapo Pizza Company’s Gurnee sheeting facility, according to a June 15 news release. Gurnee is part of the Chicago metropolitan area.

“OSHA inspectors determined the woman ... was using compressed air to clean a spiral conveyer as it moved to cool pizza when her head became caught in the machinery,” officials said. She was working as a temporary employee through XCEL Staffing Solutions at the time of her death.

“The agency found that temporary workers had not been trained or given the authority to stop equipment from moving before cleaning,” according to the release.

OSHA cited Miracapo Pizza Company for 16 willful egregious violations and 12 serious violations, records show. The company faces $2,812,658 in penalties.

“Miracapo was deeply saddened by the death of Leily Lopez-Hernandez, who worked for an external staffing agency at our Gurnee facility last year,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to McClatchy News. “We have always prioritized the safety and security of everyone who enters our facilities, whether employees, contractors or visitors, and will continue to do so.”

“While we disagree with OSHA’s findings released today, we remain committed to working with the agency to arrive at the best possible outcome for all,” the spokesperson continued. “We are proud of our safety record. Safety has always been and will continue to be a core value for our Company.”

Federal authorities cited two previous incidents connected to Miracapo Pizza Company.

Weeks before Lopez-Hernandez was killed, authorities said another employee was working on a sauce depositor when they “suffered an amputation.” And in October 2021, an employee’s fingertip was amputated while clearing a jammed pizza conveyor, according to authorities.

McClatchy News also reached out to XCEL Staffing Solutions on June 15 and was awaiting a response.

XCEL Staffing Solutions faces two willful and two serious violations, officials said, and $334,839 in proposed penalties.

Authorities said the contractor provides sanitation crews for the facility’s third shift, and many of the workers only speak Spanish.

“This tragedy took the life of a young woman, and forever changes the lives of her family, friends and co-workers. Safety standards are put in place to prevent these kinds of tragedies,” Doug Parker, assistant secretary for OSHA, said in the release. “Employers have a responsibility to train workers in the language they understand so they know how to perform their work safely.”

The companies have 15 business days from when notified of the citations to either company, request a meeting with OSHA or contest the findings.

This story was originally published June 15, 2023 at 9:44 AM with the headline "Worker killed after her head gets caught in machinery at frozen pizza plant, feds say."