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A commercial baker in Paterson agreed to pay $180,000 to settle claims it failed to address workplace safety hazards, according to authorities.

In a May 21 press release, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the pact resolves litigation that stemmed from a May 2024 follow-up visit at Valenti’s Bakery LLC.

OSHA initially cited the business in June 2023 after an employee came into contact with an automatic blade and suffered two partial finger amputations, according to the DOL.

When investigators returned in May 2024, they found that the employer had yet to correct the previously identified issues, authorities said. Subsequently, Valenti’s Bakery was issued a penalty of more than $385,000.

A spokesperson for the DOL said the company contested the citations and penalties before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

According to the DOL, the newly reached settlement affirms the citations issued last year, which included:

• A failure to abate notification for not developing, documenting and using lockout/tagout procedures for the control of hazardous mechanical energy
• Two willful citations for blocked and obstructed exit routes
• One repeat citation for machine guarding
• Six serious citations for exposure to fall hazards from a ladder and unprotected side/edges

Going forward, authorities said Valenti’s Bakery will also implement enhanced abatement measures, such as:

• Establishing an employee-management safety and health committee
• Retaining a third-party safety consultant to perform regular safety audits
• Posting safety and health signage and providing appropriate safety training in both English and Spanish
• Implementing a daily safety checklist and security cameras focused on improving exit route safety
• Implementing new engineering controls
• Performing spot checks to ensure use of proper lockout/tagout procedures

Valenti’s Bakery manufactures and sells baked goods wholesale to retailers throughout the state. A representative could not immediately be reached for comment.