WASHINGTON, D.C. — A food manufacturer with a facility in Ferndale, NY has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Nonni’s Foods LLC manufactures biscotti and other baked treats.

OSHA said that Nonni’s put employees at risk of injury when requiring the employees to stand on the fork of a forklift and be lifted into the air to access a storage area located above a break room. OSHA further alleged that the storage area was not equipped with guardrails and that both conditions exposed workers to risk.

OSHA began the investigation in August 2019 after discovering that an employee had fallen and subsequently was taken to a hospital. OSHA said the company faces $221,257 in penalties.
OSHA also cited Nonni’s because it failed to retrain operators on the appropriate use of a forklift and the company did not report the employee’s injury to OSHA within 24 hours as required.

“Employers must provide training and utilize appropriate equipment and work practices to protect workers from falls and amputations,” said OSHA Albany Area Director Amy B. Phillips.
From the OSHA press release: “Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

“The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.”

Nonni’s did not respond to a request for comment