Rochester, N.Y. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Wegmans for what the agency calls repeat and serious hazards at the grocery chain's corporate bakery and distribution center.
Wegmans faces a total of $195,200 in proposed fines for "inadequate safeguards, to prevent the unintended startup of machinery during maintenance."
Guidelines require that machines are shut down, and that their power sources are locked before maintenance. An inspection from OSHA's Buffalo office found Wegmans did not follow the guidelines. Inspectors also say workers were not adequately trained.
Wegmans was cited for similar hazards in 2007 and 2010, according to OSHA.
"The fines proposed for these violations are significant because this employer previously has been cited for similar hazards," said Arthur Dube, OSHA's area director for western New York. "For the safety and health of its workers, Wegmans must take effective action to ensure that proper lockout/tagout safeguards are in place and in use at all of its locations."
OSHA inspectors also reported nine hazards, including electrical and ventilation concerns, and fall hazards in Wegmans' distribution center.
Wegmans has three business days to comply, meet with OSHA's area director in Buffalo or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The company released this statement following the OSHA report:
“The safety and well-being of our employees is a priority for our company. We are always seeking ways to enhance worker safety through improvements or changes to our facilities and our processes. We immediately addressed the majority of issues brought to our attention as a result of the OSHA inspection, and are working on others. A review of the citations is underway to determine our next steps.”
