SWISS VALLEY FARMS DBA ROCHESTER CHEESE

According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, SWISS VALLEY FARMS DBA ROCHESTER CHEESE — a cheese manufacturing facility located at 4219 HWY 14 W, ROCHESTER, MN 55901 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 3 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $9,000.00. The inspection case was opened on 2015-05-27.

DOL records document workplace safety violations warranting formal citation under the OSH Act. While classified at the standard enforcement level, all OSHA citations require corrective action and may indicate areas where workplace safety programs should be strengthened.

BLS Injury Data: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), this industry sector has an occupational injury rate of 3.3 per 100 full-time workers — 22% above the national average of 2.7. The sector fatality rate is 2.3 per 100,000 workers.

Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $9,000.00 is approximately in line with the national average of $8,527.19 for facilities in the Manufacturing sector (NAICS 311513). This sector encompasses 24,420 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $208.2M.

State Context: Within MN, this facility's penalty places it at the 98th percentile among 58,337 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $1,403.06.

Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 3 citations spanning 1 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 2 serious — A workplace hazard that could cause death or serious physical harm exists, and the employer knew or should have known about the condition. 1 other-than-serious — The violation has a direct relationship to job safety and health but is unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning August 25, 2015 with the latest abatement deadline set for August 29, 2015. Of the 3 total citations, 3 (100%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, indicating substantial compliance with corrective action requirements.

Penalty Assessment: The total proposed penalty of $9,000.00 falls within OSHA's standard enforcement range and may have been adjusted through informal settlement conference procedures, penalty reduction factors, or good faith credit for demonstrated safety and health management systems.