OSHA Fines New York Wal-Mart $365,500 for Repeated Safety Hazards

February 15, 2012

OSHA cited Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for a total of 24 alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety and health standards at its supercenter store No. 2859 in Rochester, New York.

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer faces a total of $365,500 in proposed fines following inspections conducted by OSHA’s Buffalo Area Office initiated in response to a complaint.

The Rochester inspections led OSHA to identify fall hazards, obstructed exit routes, an absence of lockout/tagout procedures for energy sources that would allow workers to safely perform maintenance on a compactor, an unguarded grinder, no training for workers using personal protective equipment, a lack of eye and face protection, and a lack of information and training on hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

These conditions resulted in citations for 10 repeat violations with $288,000 in fines.