Search

Furniture Retailer Agrees to Corporate-Wide, $1.75 Million OSHA Settlement

Posted on 6/14/2016 by Roger Marks

One of the nation’s largest furniture retailers has reached a corporate-wide settlement agreement for alleged violations of OSHA work safety regulations. As part of the agreement, the company will pay a $1,750,000 fine, abate workplace hazards, and train employees in line with the machine safety requirements at 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7).

The violations in question stem from failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures on certain hazardous machinery. Lockout/tagout is a procedure that prevents a machine from unexpectedly starting up while an employee is performing maintenance or cleaning—which could lead to severe injuries, amputations, and worse.

OSHA machine guarding and lockout tagout The retailer is taking corrective actions (including paying the nearly $2 million fine) after being placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) for similar safety violations over the past two years. In July, OSHA reported that an employee lost a finger “because the company has continued to ignore safety requirements to protect workers from moving machine parts.” In addition to the lockout/tagout violations, the company also failed to meet OSHA injury reporting requirements in the past.

Because of the history of violations and work injuries, the company is no longer permitted to use the “minor servicing” exception to the lockout/tagout rules until a third-party consultant completes an evaluation. Also, the company must develop a Machine Safety and Health Program (MSHP) and implement the program across all its facilities.

See the full OSHA settlement here.

Protect Your Workers with OSHA 10-Hour Training

Your employees are everything. Keep them safe with reliable, effective online OSHA safety training at Lion.com. The 10-Hour OSHA General Industry Online Course will help your employees identify workplace hazards, work safely, and protect their coworkers. Enroll your team now to defend your business against injuries, lost time, and liability!   

Tags: and, fines, osha, penalties

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This guide will help you identify 25 of the most -cited errors in RCRA training, recordkeeping, hazardous waste ID, container management, universal waste, and laboratories.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.