Cookie Company Fined $221K for OSHA Violations

Last month, OSHA issued a $221,257 penalty to a New York biscotti manufacturer for allegedly exposing its workers to falls and forklift hazards among other safety violations.

On August 7, 2019, an employee fell and was hospitalized after allegedly being instructed to stand on the fork of a forklift in order to retrieve materials atop a break room. OSHA says the company failed to re-train operators on appropriate use of a forklift and did not report the employee’s injury to OSHA within 24 hours as required.

During subsequent inspections, OSHA found the storage area lacked guardrails to prevent falls and two rotating bearings on a conveyor lacked guarding to protect employees against caught-by injuries.

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

The New York-based company has been in business since 1988.

Forklift Safety: A Most-Cited OSHA Safety Hazard

There’s a reason powered industrial truck (PIT) regulations are among OSHA’s most-cited safety violations year after year. Failure to properly train, certify, and re-certify PIT drivers are typically the most common reasons employers are cited under OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.178 Standard for Powered Industrial Trucks.

Lion’s Forklift Safety online training can help ensure your staff receives the required training to safely operate PITs, or forklifts. The online format allows workers to start, pause, and complete the course at their own pace. You can easily track their progress and support is available 7 days a week so workers can get the most out of their training.
 

Tags: biscotti, cookie, employee, falling hazards, forklift, forklift hazards, hazards, industrial safety, New York, NY, osha, safety, worker safety, workplace safety