U.S. Department of Labor Cites New Jersey Food Manufacturer For Repeat Violation After Worker Injury

LODI, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited D.O. Productions LLC for lockout/tagout violations after unguarded machinery caused severe hand injuries to an employee at the frozen food manufacturer’s Lodi, New Jersey, facility. The company faces $77,184 in penalties.  

An employee suffered severe lacerations and contusions to the hand after it was caught in a rolling machine. OSHA inspectors determined that D.O. Productions LLC failed to guard the machine’s in-running nip point, a repeat violation for which OSHA cited the company in 2018. OSHA also cited the company for six serious violations involving lockout/tagout and other safety hazards.

“Manufacturers must ensure proper safeguards are in place on all machinery to prevent workers from suffering serious injuries,” said OSHA Hasbrouck Heights Area Director Lisa Levy. “This injury could have been prevented if the company had complied with OSHA standards, and corrected the violation when previously cited.”

OSHA’s Machine Guarding webpage provides compliance assistance resources to help employers identify amputation hazards, and follow required procedures to guard stationary and portable machines properly.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.