Walmart To Improve Safety Conditions At 2,800 Stores, Pay $190K Fine For Repeat Violations

Walmart says it will ramp up safety conditions at more than 2,800 of its stores scattered across the United States, after inspectors say they found “repeat” and serious” health and safety violations at one store under investigation. The mega chain has also agreed to pay a $190,000 fine under the terms of a deal with the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), because of “unacceptable” safety hazards facing employees a that store.

Those safety hazards were also present in one way or another at Walmart stores in nine other states, reports The Guardian. The deal affects employees working at 2,857 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.

This isn’t Walmart’s first time at the OSHA rodeo, either: THe company has been written up in over 100 OSHA reports for health and safety violations in the last five years.

The case that started this recent upheaval centers on a New York store, where OSHA said Walmart didn’t have enough training for employees on hazardous materials, and that there were blocked exits and unsafe trash compactor procedures.

“This settlement will help to keep thousands of exposed Walmart workers safe and healthy on the job,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “We hope this sends a strong message that the law requires employers to provide safe working conditions, and OSHA will use all the tools at our disposal to ensure that all employers follow the law.”

Walmart pays $190,000 fine and agrees to improve safety at 2,800 stores [The Guardian]

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