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OSHA is increasing the amounts some companies pay for fines by extending its repeat violation policy to more situations. Now, the same violation at a different location within five years counts as “repeat.”

Wegmans Food Markets faces $195,200 in fines for repeat and serious violations at its corporate bakery and distribution center in Rochester, NY. The fines are primarily for inadequate safeguards to prevent the unintended startup of machinery during maintenance.

OSHA cited Wegmans in 2007 and 2010 for similar hazards at its locations in Rochester. The result is $140,000 in repeat fines. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states in the last five years.

OSHA also identified electrical, machine guarding, mechanical and ventilation hazards related to ovens at the bakery, and a fall hazard in the distribution center. These violations resulted in an additional $55,200 in fines.

Wegmans has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to decide whether to appeal.

Tags: maintenance, repeat violation, unintended startup of machinery