OSHA Nails Home Depot for Failing to Remove Damaged Equipment from Service
"The Home Depot previously has been cited for failing to remove damaged safety equipment from use and should be familiar with OSHA's regulations and requirements," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines, Ill.
OSHA has cited a Home Depot store in Chicago for two repeat and one serious alleged safety violations, including failing to remove damaged equipment from service and train employees on safety procedures. The company faces proposed penalties of $55,000.
"Employers have a responsibility to take all necessary safety precautions to protect workers from injuries and accidents on the job," said Diane Turek, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines, Ill. "The Home Depot previously has been cited for failing to remove damaged safety equipment from use and should be familiar with OSHA's regulations and requirements."
Two repeat citations, with proposed penalties of $50,000, include failing to ensure damaged and defective fall protection equipment was removed from service, and failing to remove powered industrial vehicles from service when defects were found. The Home Depot was cited for the same violations in 2007 and 2008 in Rochester, N.Y., and Chicago, respectively.
One serious violation, with a proposed penalty of $5,000 was issued for failing to maintain capacity plates on powered industrial vehicles.