Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Inhalation of harmful substance single episode or single shift — Effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure unspecified — SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota

HOSPITALIZED — Worker hospitalized after incident at Smithfield Foods, Inc. in SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota
Employer Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Address 1400 North Weber Avenue
City, State ZIP SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota 57103
Report ID 2024032753
Event Date March 27, 2024
Outcome Hospitalized
Nature of Injury Effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure unspecified
Body Part BODY SYSTEMS
Event Type Inhalation of harmful substance single episode or single shift
Source of Injury Ammonia, ammonium compounds
Secondary Source Pressurized containers unspecified
Industry (NAICS) 311611
Inspection # 1738068
GPS Coordinates 43.56064, -96.71923

Location Map

Incident Narrative

An employee was working in the prepack department in the chorizo area when a contractor performing work in the area cut into an anhydrous ammonia line. The employee inhaled ammonia gas, resulting in injury to the lungs and eyes. The employee was hospitalized.

Incident Summary

On March 27, 2024, a worker at Smithfield Foods, Inc. in SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota suffered effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure unspecified to the body systems. The incident was classified as inhalation of harmful substance single episode or single shift, with ammonia, ammonium compounds identified as the source of injury. The worker was hospitalized.

Context

OSHA has recorded 100 severe injury reports involving "Inhalation of harmful substance single episode or single shift" incidents in our database. Browse all Inhalation of harmful substance single episode or single shift injuries.

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Similar Incidents

Other severe injury reports involving Inhalation of harmful substance single episode or single shift events:

Date Employer Location Nature Outcome
May 9, 2025 Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc DECATUR, Alabama Multiple effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure Hosp.
Aug 9, 2024 Cacique Foods LLC AMARILLO, Texas Poisoning, poisoning-related asphyxia Hosp.
May 24, 2024 Woodard & Curran, Inc. AUGUSTA, Missouri Chemical burns, corrosions degree unspecified Hosp.
Apr 29, 2025 Wavepoint Trucking Company LLC. NORTH EAST, Pennsylvania Poison, toxic, or allergenic effects other respiratory Hosp.
Aug 27, 2024 Keystone Cooperative, Inc NEW HOLLAND, Ohio Poison, toxic, or allergenic effects other respiratory Hosp.
Feb 24, 2025 PKG Contracting, Inc. SELBY, South Dakota Effects of poison, toxic, or allergenic exposure unspecified Hosp.
Sep 30, 2024 Publix Super Market at Shops at Sunset Lakes MIRAMAR, Florida Poison, toxic, or allergenic effects other respiratory Hosp.
May 25, 2025 Premier Health DAYTON, Ohio Anaphylactic shock, anaphylaxis Hosp.

Frequently Asked Questions

Workers injured on the job have the right to medical treatment covered by workers' compensation, wage replacement benefits during recovery, and protection against retaliation for reporting the injury. You have the right to file a complaint with OSHA if you believe your workplace is unsafe, and OSHA cannot reveal your identity to your employer without your consent. You also have the right to see your OSHA 300 injury log. If your employer denies a workers' comp claim, you can appeal through your state's workers' compensation board. An occupational health attorney can advise on complex cases involving denied claims or third-party liability.

After an employer reports a severe injury, OSHA decides whether to conduct an on-site inspection. Fatalities and amputations typically trigger automatic inspections. For hospitalizations and eye loss events, OSHA may conduct a phone/fax investigation or an on-site inspection based on the circumstances. During an inspection, OSHA compliance officers assess the accident scene, interview witnesses, review safety records, and identify violations. Citations and penalties may be issued. OSHA also works with the employer to abate hazardous conditions. All inspection results are published in OSHA's public inspection database at osha.gov.

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About This OSHA Report

This is a severe injury report filed with OSHA. Employers are required to report all work-related fatalities and severe injuries within 8 to 24 hours. Browse more reports by employer, state, or industry below.

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