DOL Reaches Settlement With New Jersey Bakery
On May 21st, 2025, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it has reached a settlement agreement with a bakery in New Jersey. The company will pay nearly $180,000 to resolve allegations of workplace safety violations related to a 2023 accident that resulted in a worker undergoing partial finger amputations. Here, our New Jersey employment attorney provides a more detailed overview of the settlement agreement.
Worker Suffered Partial Finger Amputation in Accident, Employer Failed to Rectify Issues
The DOL reached a settlement with Valenti’s Bakery LLC—a company that is based in Paterson, New Jersey—after a follow-up inspection of the workplace in May of 2024 revealed that the company failed to correct previously cited safety hazards. Notably, these workplace hazards were initially identified in June of 2023 when an employee sustained multiple partial finger amputations in an accident. The follow-up inspection found that serious safety violations still existed. OSHA issued multiple workplace safety violations, including for willful violations and repeat violations. The employer will pay $180,000 in penalties. Further, it will take the following corrective action:
- Creation of an Employee-Management Safety Committee: Valenti’s Bakery will establish a joint committee where both employees and management collaborate regularly to identify and address workplace safety issues. The initiative is designed to foster accountability.
- Retain a Third-Party Safety Consultant: Beyond that, the company will hire an independent safety expert to conduct regular audits of its facility. These audits are designed to identify hazards and recommend improvements to ensure ongoing OSHA compliance.
- Offer Better Bilingual Safety Signage and Training: Going forward, all safety-related signs will be posted in both English and Spanish, and safety training sessions will be provided in both languages. Many employees at this company are primarily Spanish speakers.
- Perform Daily Safety Checklist and Exit Route Cameras: A daily checklist will be used to monitor safety practices, and security cameras will be installed to ensure clear and unobstructed exit routes. These tools will help detect and correct hazards in real time.
- Establish New Engineering Controls: Further, the employer bakery will implement upgraded mechanical and physical safety controls to reduce worker exposure to dangerous equipment. These improvements are aimed at addressing the risks identified by OSHA.
- A System of Lockout/Tagout Spot Checks: The company will conduct unannounced checks to confirm that workers are properly following lockout/tagout procedures when servicing machines.
You have the right to report workplace safety violations. Workers have the legal right to report unsafe working conditions or safety violations to OSHA without fear of punishment. Federal law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who speak up about workplace hazards.
Consult With Our New Jersey Employment Lawyer Today
At Poulos LoPiccolo PC, our New Jersey employment attorney has the experience to handle all types of employment claims, including wage and hour cases. If you or your loved one need legal guidance and support, please do not hesitate to contact us today for a completely confidential, no obligation consultation. We provide employment law representation throughout New Jersey.
Source:
dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osha/osha20250521
