Ohio Bakery Hit with $395K Fine by OSHA
An Ohio commercial bakery, New Horizons Baking Co., is facing significant penalties from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The bakery has been slapped with fines totaling $394,849 due to unsafe working conditions identified during a federal inspection.
Details of the OSHA Violations
On December 16, OSHA reported that the inspection uncovered multiple safety violations. New Horizons Baking Co. received:
- Three repeat violations
- Nine serious violations
- One other-than-serious violation
The repeat violations primarily involved failures related to worker safety training. Specifically, these included:
- Inadequate training for lockout/tagout procedures
- Failure to lock out and tag out hazardous machines
- Insufficient guarding of dangerous equipment
This negligence exposed employees to various hazards, including pinch-point, struck-by, and caught-in dangers. OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard is crucial for worker safety and was the agency’s fourth most cited regulation in fiscal year 2025.
Context of OSHA’s Enforcement Actions
In total, OSHA cited 2,177 violations during the previous fiscal year, highlighting the need for increased adherence to safety standards across numerous industries.
Importance of Compliance and Worker Safety
Failing to comply with OSHA regulations not only jeopardizes worker safety but can also lead to costly fines. Companies must prioritize safety training and the implementation of protective measures to create secure working environments.
Conclusion
The large fine against New Horizons Baking Co. serves as a reminder of the importance of workplace safety. Effective training and adherence to regulations are essential in preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of all employees.