- A $3 million fire at Alphia's Ogden dog food plant highlights the company's safety issues.
- The plant faced multiple safety citations for injuries and reporting failures.
- Alphia says it has invested $500,000 in 2025 for safety improvements and enhanced protocols.
OGDEN — A fire that caused an estimated $3 million in damage at Alphia's Ogden pet food manufacturing plant has drawn renewed attention to the company's workplace safety record, which includes multiple state citations tied to injuries involving machinery, hazardous floor conditions, and reporting failures.
Utah Occupational Safety and Health division records reviewed by KSL Investigators show a series of incidents at the facility stretching back several years — violations that have cost the company more than $20,000 in fines over the past five years.
Division timeline of injuries & penalties
May 2022
- An employee tripped on a raised metal plate and suffered a concussion.
- Utah Occupational Safety and Health cited Alphia for failing to report the injury within the required eight-hour window.
- Penalty: $2,500
July 2022
- A temporary employee was struck in the face when a clamp released while bagging product, knocking out a front tooth.
- Investigators cited Alphia for failing to guard the machine's point of operation.
- Penalty: $5,000
September 2022
- An employee fractured a finger after slipping on a wet, mash-covered floor.
- Utah Occupational Safety and Health cited Alphia for allowing a known slip hazard to persist and for failing to report the injury in the required timeframe.
- Penalty: $5,500
April 2023
- A worker's finger was lacerated and fractured while applying probiotic powder to a moving conveyor.
- Investigators found employees were exposed to rotating parts without proper guarding.
- Penalty: $2,500
July 2024
- A maintenance mechanic suffered fractures and tendon damage involving Alphia's west palletizer when the elevator moved unexpectedly during troubleshooting.
- Utah Occupational Safety and Health issued no citation, determining the company had appropriate lockout/tagout policies and accepting an employee misconduct defense.
- Penalty: None
April 2025
- An employee's hand was crushed inside an incline screw during cleaning operations.
- The division cited Alphia for failing to conduct required periodic lockout/tagout inspections.
- Penalty: $7,000
Fatal incident
State inspection records show the July 2024 palletizer injury involved the same machine linked to a worker death in 2018.
Investigators noted the palletizer's operating speed had been adjusted following the fatality. Utah Occupational Safety and Health confirmed it maintains a separate file related to the 2018 death, which occurred when the company operated under a different name. That report is expected to be released.
Fire investigation remains separate
While the October fire caused extensive damage at the Ogden facility, Utah Occupational Safety and Health said it did not open an investigation because no workers were injured. The agency emphasized its role is limited to workplace safety enforcement, not determining fire causes.
Ogden fire officials have previously said the fire originated inside a biscuit-baking oven and spread through ductwork, creating zero-visibility conditions and complicating suppression efforts.
Fire crews worked for more than four hours before bringing the blaze under control. The department did not respond to KSL's request for an updated status of the fire investigation.
Alphia statement
Alphia provided the following written statement:
"Alphia is committed to being a responsible community partner in Ogden, where we employ 300 people and have invested substantially in facility improvements under current ownership. Following the October incident, we completed comprehensive third-party assessments, implemented enhanced safety protocols and operational controls, and upgraded fire suppression systems. We have invested approximately $500,000 in environmental, health, and safety improvements at our Ogden facility in 2025 alone, as part of over $2 million in company-wide EHS spending.
"Our safety performance has improved dramatically in recent years, with our Total Recordable Incident Rate decreasing more than 80% since 2020. We maintain an open dialogue with city officials and continue working closely with local fire marshals and safety experts to ensure the highest standards."
