OSHA Prescribes Walgreens $104,500 in Fines for Struck-By Hazards
This employer failed to address common and basic hazards posed by blocked exits, falls from heights, and being struck by a heavy gas cylinder," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office.
OSHA has cited a Walgreens Co. store in Lithonia, Ga., with four safety violations for exposing workers to struck-by and other hazards. Penalties total $104,500.
Three repeat violations with $99,000 in penalties include exposing employees to being struck by unsecured compressed gas cylinders; allowing workers to use an A-frame stepladder to carry inventory up and down, and then step from the ladder onto a storage shelf to load and retrieve products without guardrails or fall protection; and failing to ensure exit routes are not blocked. The company was cited for the same three violations in May 2008 at a Chicago location.
One serious violation with a $5,500 penalty was cited for allowing electrical panel access to be blocked by display material, plastics totes, and inventory.
"This employer failed to address common and basic hazards posed by blocked exits, falls from heights, and being struck by a heavy gas cylinder," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office, which conducted an investigation in January. "All employers have a responsibility to keep the work environment safe for their employees."