OSHA Issues Petco Store Citations for Rodents, Other Hazards

OSHA Issues Petco Store Citations for Rodents, Other Hazards

The Andover, Massachusetts location faces proposed penalties of $129,473.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • Jul 25, 2023

Petco operates more than 1,500 pet supplies stores throughout the United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. And now one location in Andover, Massachusetts, is facing citations from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

In a release dated July 21, OSHA announced the store had received two repeat and two serious violations, amounting to a proposed $129,473 in penalties.

Following an employee complaint, OSHA investigators in February 2023 discovered the Petco store lacked an effective vermin control program. As a result, workers were routinely exposed to live and dead rodents as well as their waste. Another Petco store in Corpus Christi, Texas, received citation for a similar violation in 2021.

In addition, the North Andover location received citations for electrical hazards—stemming from the blocked access of electrical panels—as well as chemical hazards related to unlabeled containers and inadequate eyewash and cleaning. A Petco in Columbus, Ohio, received a similar citation in 2022 relating to electrical safety.

"Protecting the safety and health of employees must be a core value for employers, large and small," OSHA Area Director Sarah T. Carle in Andover, Massachusetts said in a statement. "After previous citations for similar violations, Petco is well aware of the importance of having effective programs in place to control pests and safeguard against hazards at all of its locations."

Petco has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest its findings.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

Product Showcase

  • Safety Workwear & Footwear Programs

    Safety Workwear & Footwear Programs

    Zappos at Work knows how to keep your team safe by providing workwear and footwear programs, built custom to your business. We offer an unrivaled selection of brands and styles to ensure that your employees look and feel great on the job. You tell us your team’s safety workwear needs, and we build a custom online storefront where your employees can order products from your hand-picked assortment. Orders are shipped directly to your employees, with free and fast shipping, returns, and exchanges on all orders. 3

  • Nextteq® Detector Tube and Pump System product line

    Nextteq® Detector Tube and Pump System product line

    The Nextteq® Detector Tube and Pump System product line from Nextteq® represents well over 500 unique applications utilizing over 300 different kinds of detector tubes as part of a complete sampling analysis system to detect and measure toxic and combustible gases or vapors and materials. Multiple industries are supported and backed by our in-house staff which incorporates a Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Board-Certified Toxicologist, and a Certified Safety Professional to assist you with your technical questions. 3

  • AA

    AA

    A+A—The World’s No 1. Trade Fair with Congress for Safety, Security and Health at Work—is renowned for its wide range of products and international reach, reflecting the status of the industry with the latest technologies and trends. From October 24-27, 2023, A+A will showcase the entire range of products and services for personal and occupational safety at the fairground in Düsseldorf, Germany - from protective items for individual body parts to complex security systems, from occupational medical care to ergonomic workplace design. An international congress will complement the exhibits. 3

Featured

Most   Popular