Labor Depart Fines Facility Over $1M Following Worker Fatality While Cleaning

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.