OSHA cites Macy’s, The Finish Line for blocked exits, electrical shock hazards and other safety violations; retailers face more than $103K in fines

AVENTURA, Fla. – A federal workplace safety inspection of the Macy’s department store in Aventura by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found employees at risk due to repeated and serious violations related to blocked exits, improper housekeeping and electric shock hazards.

Since 2007, OSHA has inspected Macy’s Inc. locations 42 times and issued citations for blocked exits, obstructed access to electrical disconnect panels and using flexible cords instead of permanent wiring. With approximately 157,900 workers nationwide in about 870 stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, Macy’s is one of the nation’s largest retailers and is based in Ohio.

OSHA initiated an inspection on Jan. 15, 2016, in Aventura after receiving a complaint concerning several workplace injuries and hazards. The agency’s inspectors then cited Macy’s and The Finish Line of Indiana, doing business as The Finish Line Inc., for 14 safety and health violations. An athletic footwear, apparel and accessories retailer, The Finish Line rents space in Macy’s stores.

Combined, Macy’s and The Finish Line face $103,220 in penalties.

“Macy’s continues to ignore OSHA standards and previously cited violations that relate to blocked emergency exits and access to electrical disconnect panels that puts employees at risk of serious injury or death,” said Condell Eastmond, OSHA’s area director in Fort Lauderdale. “The retailer has a long inspection history and is aware that all of its facilities’ exits must remain unobstructed so that employees can safely escape in the event of an emergency.” 

OSHA issued three repeated citations to Macy’s for:

• Allowing access to electrical disconnect switches to be blocked with metal racks, boxes and a ladder.
• Exposing workers to electric shock hazards by using flexible cable instead of fixed wiring.
• Exposing employees to fire hazards due to exit routes not being clearly marked.

The serious citations relate to Macy’s:

• Improper housekeeping in the receiving and storage areas.
• Allowing exit doors to be locked with a padlock.
• Not ensuring exit routes are kept free and unobstructed.
• Exposing workers to electric shock hazards due to unprotected wiring entering an outlet box and a missing ground pin on an electrical plug.

The agency also cited two serious violations to The Finish Line for failure to keep the storage area clean and free from clutter and blocking exit routes.

In addition, OSHA cited Macy’s for three other-than-serious violations for a lack of exit route signs, not providing signs on doors that are not an exit and failing to mount and identify the location of fire extinguishers. The Finish Line was also issued one other-than-serious citation for failing to mount fire extinguishers. 

The citations for the two companies can be viewed at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/MacysandTheFinishLine111811_1134919.pdf

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Fort Lauderdale Area Office at 954-424-0242.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.