In November, the U.S. Department of Labor cited a fresh-cut vegetable processing company for repeatedly violating safety requirements after a worker was fatally injured while cleaning and sanitizing a machine. 

In May 2025, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated an inspection into Taylor Farms New Jersey Inc. after being notified of the fatality at its processing facility in Swedesboro, New Jersey. Inspectors determined that Taylor Farms, a subsidiary of Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., failed to implement proper lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers from severe injuries during sanitation activities.

OSHA cited Taylor Farms for 16 safety violations related to the lack of lockout/tagout procedures, as well as failure to implement lockout/tagout requirements or provide training, and proposed penalties totaling US$1,125,484. Additionally, PL Solutions Group LLC, operating as People Logistics, the onsite temporary employment agency, was cited for three serious violations with proposed penalties of $33,100 for not implementing or training workers on lockout/tagout procedures.

An understanding of the lockout/tagout standard will help protect cleaning crews from electrocution, burns, amputations, fractures, and other injuries that can result from accidental energy release. To learn more about the dangers of unguarded machines and how to keep workers safe, read CMM’s “Lock in Safety” article.

This is National Handwashing Awareness Week—the perfect time to brush up on hand hygiene now that cold and flu season is upon us. One of the best ways to prevent the spread of the common cold, flu, or even COVID-19 is washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent one in three diarrhea-related sicknesses and one in five respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

National Hand Washing Awareness Week is sponsored by Henry the Hand Foundation and reminds us to be vigilant about hand-washing, especially this time of year because it’s cold and flu season. Henry the Hand Foundation offers the four principles of hand awareness:

1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating.
   2. DO NOT cough into your hands.
   3. DO NOT sneeze into your hands.
   4. Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose, or mouth.

The CDC offers these five steps to complete when washing your hands every time:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dryer.

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.