OSHA Fines Plant $1M After Worker Fatality

The owner of a New Jersey fresh-cut vegetable processing plant is facing a $1 million fine after an employee was killed while cleaning and sanitizing a machine.

OSHA investigators inspected the plant in May 2025 following the death of an employee.

Investigators said the company failed to implement proper lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers from severe injuries during sanitation.

As a result, OSHA cited Taylor Farms for 16 safety violations with proposed penalties of $1,125,484.

OSHA also fined the company’s onsite temporary employment agency $33,100 for not implementing or training workers on lockout/tagout procedures.

Agency officials say locks and tags prevents unexpected machine startups or other energy releases during activities such as cleaning or maintenance.

In a statement, OSHA officials said the company willfully and repeatedly violated safety requirements at the plant.