Tsudis Chocolate Co. could be facing more than $84,150 in fines after being cited for safety violations at its Pittsburgh candy manufacturing facility this month.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited the company for two repeat and 14 new serious safety violations at its Pittsburgh candy manufacturing facility.

A spokesperson for Tsudis, which employs about 135 workers at the facility, did not wish to comment on the recent citations, and said the company has no plans to release a statement.

OSHA says it started investigating Tsudis after a worker was injured while setting up operations on a machine that started by mistake.

"A machine was not locked out to prevent the accidental start up that caused this worker's injuries," says Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA's Pittsburgh area office. "By not complying with OSHA's standards, this company continues to leave its workers vulnerable to hazards that could cause serious injury and possible death."

The two repeat violations, of which similar ones were cited in October 2010, involve failing to provide workers with adequate training in safe energy control and electrical work practices.
The remaining 14 serious safety violations involve deficient energy control procedures, improper storage of materials, inadequate machine guarding, electrical hazards and failing to provide proper exits/means of egress.

Tsudis has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the citations before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.