OSHA Inspection: THE COUNTRY MART

Issued

Jul 31, 2001

Abate by

Aug 10, 2001

Penalty

Initial $2,625 · Current $2,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish
employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized
hazards that were
causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in
that employees were
exposed to:
The emergency panic button was missing from the rod that protruded from the
door to the approximately 62" wide x 87" tall Premco walk-in freezer
located at
the back of the store.  Employees traveling in/out of the freezer are
exposed to
being locked inside the freezer if the freezer door was inadvertently
closed which
can cause hazardous conditions such as but not limited to hypothermia,
stress,
and/or anxiety attacks.  On or about March 16, 2001, an employee was locked
inside the freezer.  The employee could not exit immediately and became
stressed
which lead to an anxiety attack.
Among other methods, feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct
this
hazard is as follows:
1.Install a panic button on the rod that protruded from the walk-in freezer
door.
2.Develop a training program to ensure that employees who travel in/out the
walk-in freezer are familiar with, and understand the purpose for the panic
button.
3.Inform employees not to close the door to the walk-in freezer until they
ensure that no employee(s) is inside the freezer.
4.Post a legible sign on the freezer door to alert delivery personnel not
to
close freezer doors left open.
5.In the alternative, post legible signs near the panic button that inform
employees of the purpose for the button and the procedures to be utilized
in the event they were locked inside the walk-in freezer.

Issued

Jul 31, 2001

Abate by

Aug 10, 2001

Penalty

Initial $900