The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reached a settlement with Thomas Foods International after issuing citations for workplace safety and health violations at the company’s meat processing facility in Swedesboro, NJ.

The facility was inspected in May of 2019 as part of OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting program, and inspectors found violations involving noise and bloodborne pathogens hazards, and ineffective machine guarding.

As part of the settlement, Thomas Foods International will pay $213,000 in penalties, and will hold monthly meetings with an in-house safety and health committee for a minimum of one year, develop a safety checklist to ensure proper use of equipment and develop and implement a written safety and health program. They will also ensure that management attends a 30-hour OSHA safety course and utilize consultation services to conduct at least one audit of the workplace.

“This settlement confirms that Thomas Foods will correct the violations identified during the investigation to prevent employee exposure to serious injuries and disabilities,” said OSHA Marlton Area Director Paula Dixon-Roderick.

Employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees, OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

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