Lynnway Auto Auction to Correct Hazards, Implement Safety Measures, And Pay Penalties in U.S. Department of Labor Settlement

BOSTON, MA – The U.S. Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Lynnway Auto Auction Inc., in which the Billerica facility agrees to correct hazards, implement significant safety measures, and pay $200,000 in penalties. The Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Lynnway for 16 violations following a May 2017 incident in which a sport utility vehicle fatally struck five people during an auto auction.

As part of the settlement, Lynnway will designate and mark non-driving locations, walkways, and crosswalks; install barriers in the auto auction area; establish and enforce speed limits and a safe driving program; periodically evaluate employees’ driving capabilities and licenses; provide employee training; and review all vehicle accidents or near-misses.

“The settlement commits Lynnway to correct existing hazards, and requires it to take continuous action to help prevent future employee injuries or fatalities,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Galen Blanton.

“The processes put into place by this agreement have the goal of ensuring that such needless loss of lives will not occur again,” said Regional Solicitor of Labor Michael Felsen.

TrueBlue Inc., doing business as PeopleReady, which supplied temporary employees to Lynnway, also agreed to correct hazards, implement a traffic control program, and pay a $12,675 penalty. OSHA cited the staffing firm for exposing employees to struck-by hazards.

The Lynnway settlement became a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission on April 5, 2018; the TrueBlue settlement agreement became final on March 5, 2018.  OSHA’s Andover Area Office conducted the inspections.  Senior Trial Attorney James Glickman of the Boston regional solicitor’s office litigated the cases for OSHA.

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 www.osha.gov.