OSHA Inspection: SAM'S CLUB SAM'S EAST, INC.

Issued

Mar 29, 2023

Abate by

Apr 24, 2023

Penalty

Initial $156,259 · Current $90,000 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act: Employer failed to furnish to each of its employees employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.  Employees were exposed to a struck-by hazard that existed because a defective garage door used by employees would not stay securely in place in the raised/open position:      a.) Sam's Club #6675 Erie, PA/DSD Vendor Door:  On or about September 30, 2022, and times prior thereto, employees opened the DSD Vendor overhead door to gain access to the exterior of the building to deliver merchandise to customers, and for other purposes.  The mechanism for keeping the door in the raised/open position was broken, so that employees were exposed to the danger of the door lowering to the closed position suddenly and with great force.  On September 30, 2022, a 20-year-old employee was struck by the door when it closed at an unexpectedly high rate of speed.  The employee later died of his injuries.    Abatement Note: Among other methods, feasible means of abatement include locking the door out of service until repairs could be completed, or using a danger tag as permitted under 29 C.F.R. � 1910.145(f)(3) and (f)(5) until repairs could be completed.