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April 24, 2023
Division of Labor cites Greenback Tree Inc. for obstructing exits, unsafely
storing supplies at Rhode Island shops in Windfall, Pawtucket
Nationwide low cost retailer faces $770K in penalties after newest inspections
PROVIDENCE, RI – Greenback Tree Inc.’s failure to supply protected work situations at two Rhode Island shops – violations of U.S. Division of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements – uncovered workers to severe dangers and accidents.
The low cost retail large faces a complete of $770,136 in proposed penalties for hazards associated to obstructed exits, unsafe storage of supplies, hearth and different hazards at its East Windfall and Pawtucket places.
OSHA inspectors responded to complaints about unsafe situations on the two shops and located workers uncovered to those hazards:
- Blocked exits: Giant piles of supplies blocked entry to emergency exits. Inspectors discovered entry to an emergency exit fully blocked on the Pawtucket retailer.
- Unsafe storage of supplies: Boxed merchandise stacked as much as 7 toes excessive at each places.
- Fireplace extinguishers: Storage room supplies fully blocked entry to fireside extinguishers on the Pawtucket retailer.
- Compressed gasoline storage: Inspectors discovered helium compressed gasoline cylinders saved and labeled improperly in East Windfall. The cylinders additionally lacked caps for valve safety.
OSHA cited the East Windfall retailer for 3 repeat violations, with $319,220 in proposed fines, and the Pawtucket location for 4 repeat violations, with $450,916 in proposed fines. View the citations for the East Providence and Pawtucket shops.
OSHA cited Greenback Tree beforehand for related hazards at places in Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Wisconsin.
“Offering workers with clearly acknowledged and legally required safeguards, reminiscent of unimpeded exit entry, correctly saved supplies and available hearth extinguishers, have to be a precedence for any employer and shouldn’t be ignored,” defined OSHA Space Director Robert Sestito in Windfall, Rhode Island.
Since 2017, federal and state OSHA packages recognized greater than 300 violations in additional than 500 inspections at Greenback Tree and Household Greenback shops operated by Greenback Tree Inc., primarily based in Chesapeake, Virginia.
One of many nation’s largest retail low cost chains, Greenback Tree Inc. operates greater than 16,000 Greenback Tree and Household Greenback places in 48 states and 5 Canadian provinces. The corporate additionally has a nationwide logistics community and has greater than 193,000 workers. The publicly traded firm reported a gross revenue of $7.7 billion in 2021.
Greenback Tree Shops Inc. has 15 enterprise days from receipt of its citations and penalties to conform, request a casual convention with OSHA’s space director or contest the findings earlier than the unbiased Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
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Media Contacts:
Ted Fitzgerald, 617-565-2075, fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov
James C. Lally, 617-565-2074, lally.james.c@dol.gov
Launch Quantity: 23-719-NAT
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