Taylor Farms Fined $1.1 Million After Worker Dies in Machine Cleaning Accident
OSHA fined Taylor Farms New Jersey $1,125,484 for willful and repeated safety violations after a worker was fatally injured while cleaning a machine at the company's Swedesboro facility in May 2025, with failures in lockout/tagout procedures cited as the primary cause.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced penalties exceeding $1.1 million against Taylor Farms New Jersey Inc., a fresh-cut vegetable processing company, following a worker fatality during machine sanitation activities. The inspection, initiated in May 2025 after the fatal incident at the Swedesboro, New Jersey processing facility, revealed systematic failures in workplace safety procedures designed to protect workers during equipment maintenance and cleaning.
OSHA cited Taylor Farms, a subsidiary of Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., for 16 safety violations related to lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures. These procedures are critical safety protocols that require machinery to be properly shut down and rendered inoperable before workers perform maintenance, cleaning, or repairs. The investigation found that the company failed to implement proper lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers from severe injuries during sanitation activities, failed to provide adequate training, and failed to ensure workers were properly protected from dangerous equipment during cleaning operations.
In addition to the citations against Taylor Farms, OSHA also cited PL Solutions Group LLC, operating as People Logistics, the onsite temporary employment agency that supplied workers to the facility. The staffing agency received three serious violations with proposed penalties of $33,100 for not implementing lockout/tagout procedures or training workers on these critical safety requirements. This dual citation approach reflects OSHA's recognition that both the host employer and staffing agencies share responsibility for worker safety.
The fatality occurred on May 22, 2025, when a worker was killed while performing cleaning and sanitizing duties on processing equipment. While OSHA and local police records confirm the incident resulted in a worker's death, neither agency provided detailed information about the specific circumstances of the accident or the identity of the victim, who reportedly lived in Philadelphia. The case highlights ongoing safety concerns in the food processing industry, where cleaning and sanitation activities frequently expose workers to dangerous machinery and equipment.
Key Points
- OSHA proposed $1,125,484 in penalties against Taylor Farms New Jersey Inc. for willful and repeated violations
- Worker fatality occurred on May 22, 2025, during machine cleaning and sanitizing activities at Swedesboro, New Jersey facility
- Company cited for 16 safety violations related to failure to implement proper lockout/tagout procedures
- Lockout/tagout procedures are designed to prevent workers from being injured by unexpected equipment activation during maintenance
- On-site staffing agency PL Solutions Group LLC (People Logistics) also cited for three serious violations totaling $33,100
- Staffing agency failed to implement or train temporary workers on lockout/tagout procedures
- Taylor Farms is a subsidiary of Taylor Fresh Foods Inc., headquartered in Salinas, California
- Investigation found systematic failures in protecting workers during sanitation activities
- Neither OSHA nor Taylor Farms provided detailed information about the specific circumstances of the fatal incident
- Deceased worker lived in Philadelphia according to police records
- Case demonstrates ongoing safety challenges in food processing industry where cleaning operations expose workers to machinery hazards
Author: U.S. Department of Labor
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Link: https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/osha-national-news-release/20251124
