Apr 14, 2006 8:55 AM, from staff and wire reports

Tropicana Beverages North America, the orange juice division of Pepsi-Co Inc, will pay fines of more than $164,000 for exposing employees to safety dangers at its Bradenton FL processing plant.

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said it launched an investigation in October 2005 when a flash fire during maintenance operations seriously burned two mechanics. Among other violations, Tropicana was cited for not taking sufficient precautions to prevent ignition of flammable vapors from a solvent used to clean compressor sludge.

Mike Haycock, Tropicana’s vice-president of operations, said the firm immediately addressed several of the problems and is rectifying others. Strict operating procedures were initiated to prevent future problems.