PA Candy Factory Fined After Workers Fall Into Vat Of Chocolate

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA — A Lancaster County candy factory has been fined $14,500 after an incident last year in which two contractors fell into a vat of chocolate.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Mars Wrigley for a violation it deemed serious. Mars Wrigley products are sold in 180 countries and include M&Ms, Snickers, Skittles and Orbit.

"The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees," the administration ruling stated.

Two workers employed by an outside contracting firm fell into a partially filled chocolate tank while performing maintenance work. Emergency personnel had to cut a hole in the bottom of the tank to free them.

The company was contrite in a statement provided to CNN: “The safety of our associates and outside contractors are a top priority for our business. As always, we appreciate OSHA’s collaborative approach to working with us to conduct the after-action review.”