Upstate New York Yogurt Plant Faces $178K in OSHA Fines

Federal inspectors have proposed fining a yogurt maker $178,000 safety violations at its upstate New York plant.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the problems at Agro Farma Inc.’s Chobani Greek Yogurt plant in Chenango County included unguarded moving parts on machines, electrical hazards, lack of training and protective gear, wet floors and other dangerous conditions.

A company spokeswoman tells local media the plant in New Berlin has grown from five employees to 1,200 since 2005 and steps have been taken to address problems found by inspectors starting in October. She says the company will continue working with OSHA to make sure its workers are safe. The company can contest the fines.

Yogurt making has been a fast-growing business in upstate New York over recent years.