Mon Jan 05 13:20:00 UTC 2026: News Article:
Ohio Bakery Hit with Nearly $400K in OSHA Fines for Safety Violations
Washington D.C. – New Horizons Baking Co., a commercial bakery in Ohio, is facing a hefty $394,849 fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after a recent inspection revealed a multitude of unsafe working conditions. The agency announced the penalties on December 16th, citing repeated failures to protect employees from serious hazards.
The inspection uncovered three repeat violations, nine serious violations, and one other-than-serious violation. The repeat violations stem from the bakery’s failure to adequately train workers on lockout/tagout procedures, neglecting to lock out and tag out dangerous machinery during maintenance, and failing to properly guard machines, exposing employees to pinch-point, struck-by, and caught-in hazards. Lockout/tagout, a critical safety procedure for controlling hazardous energy, was the fourth most frequently cited OSHA standard in fiscal year 2023, with 2,177 violations.
OSHA Partners with Construction Company in New Hampshire to Promote Worker Safety
In separate news, OSHA has announced a strategic partnership with Harvey Construction Corp. in Manchester, New Hampshire, to promote worker safety during the construction of the Mark Stebbins Community Center. This partnership, announced December 17th, aims to proactively prevent worker injuries and hazard exposure through a collaborative government-contractor approach.
The initiative will focus on identifying and mitigating common construction hazards, particularly falls, struck-by incidents, and caught-in/between dangers – all part of the “fatal four” leading causes of construction worker fatalities. The partnership will assist contractors in developing robust safety management systems and provide comprehensive training for employees, employers, and supervisors. The new Community Center will house a Boys and Girls Club, a multipurpose gym, and an Amoskeag Health Medical Clinic.
New OSHA Assistant Secretary Takes the Helm
This news comes as OSHA is under new leadership. David Keeling, the agency’s new Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, was confirmed on October 3rd. Keeling brings over 30 years of experience in workplace health and safety to the role, previously managing global health and safety at UPS and overseeing global transportation safety at Amazon. His appointment has been welcomed by safety professionals.
“OSHA’s leadership is more important than ever given today’s workplace safety challenges and the continuing evolution of how work is performed,” said Linda Tapp, President of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). “We know David is a strong proponent of protecting workers, and his extensive knowledge and skills as a safety professional will certainly help the agency.”
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