A bakery in Paterson, New Jersey, has been fined $385,221 by the U.S. Department of Labor after an investigation revealed ongoing safety hazards at its facility. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted a follow-up inspection at Valenti’s Bakery LLC in May 2024, following up on issues identified during a June 2023 inspection.

The initial investigation was prompted by an incident where an employee suffered two partial finger amputations due to contact with an automatic blade. During the recent inspection, OSHA found that Valenti's Bakery had not developed or implemented lockout/tagout procedures necessary for controlling hazardous mechanical energy. This led to a notification of failure to abate being issued.

In addition to this, OSHA cited the bakery for two willful violations related to blocked and obstructed exit routes. There was also one repeat citation concerning machine guarding and six serious citations involving fall hazards from ladders and unprotected sides and edges.

"Valenti’s Bakery failed to take the necessary steps to protect its employees, even after a preventable life-altering injury underscored the hazards in its workplace," stated Lisa Levy, OSHA Area Office Director in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. "Employers have a responsibility to correct known dangers promptly, not disregard them and put workers at further risk."

Valenti’s Bakery LLC is known for manufacturing and selling baked goods wholesale across New Jersey. The company now has 15 business days from receiving the citations and penalties to comply with them, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Further information on how employers can limit worker exposure to machine hazards is available on OSHA's machine guarding and control of hazardous energy webpages.