Florida Walmart Violates Corporate-Wide Safety Agreement: OSHA
OSHA says the global retailer failed to protect employees from serious hazards. Proposed penalties total $118,800.
According to OSHA, Walmart continues to endanger the safety and health of its employees, despite a corporate-wide settlement agreement with the agency. An OSHA Region 4 investigation into a Pensacola, Fla., Walmart discovered serious health violations, resulting in three repeated and two serious violations, the agency reported.
The repeated citations were issued due to the employer not providing Hepatitis B vaccinations to workers who were designated to clean up blood spills, not ensuring workers understood the symptoms and control measures for Hepatitis B, and failing to maintain unobstructed access to the disconnect box and panel for the baler and trash compactor. Proposed penalties total $118,800.
The serious citations were issued for failing to annually train blood spill cleanup workers, failing to provide employees with sufficient working space to avoid contact with live electrical wires, and failing to protect them from exposure to shock and burn hazards.
"The bloodborne pathogen and safe access violations were previously cited and also covered in the settlement agreement, yet employees are still being exposed to these hazards," said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA's area director in the Jacksonville Office. "It is very frustrating to see that these hazards continue to exist and is a clear indication management is not actively involved in the safety and health program."