Pittsburgh Chocolate Company Fined by OSHA

Tsudis Chocolate Co. was fined over $87,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after an accident at its Pittsburgh manufacturing facility.

According to an article on BizJournals.com, an employee sustained crushing injuries to his right hand and wrist in February after a machine activated while he was setting it up. That accident prompted an inspection by OSHA.

In a statement, OSHA said, “Tsudis Chocolate could have prevented this unfortunate incident by having the proper hazardous energy controls in place.”

Following the investigation, the company was fined $27,860 and cited for repeat violations, including failure to properly guard points of operation on machinery; provide appropriate electrical protective equipment when employees worked on energized electrical parts; and ensure that containers were labeled, tagged, or marked with identification of hazardous chemicals.

There were 12 violations that totaled $59,400 for failing to address electrical hazards; create energy control procedures at least annually; and provide training to authorized employees on the recognition of applicable energy sources in the facility.