OSHA Inspection: COST-U-LESS ST. CROIX

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,702 · Current $2,777 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.36(d)(1): Employee(s) were not able to open an exit route door from the inside at all times without keys, tools, or special knowledge:  a. On or about December 12, 2023, at the janitorial hallway, receiving and produce areas. The employer did not ensure employees were protected from potential injuries from fire or other emergencies when unlocked key padlocks were kept in place on the clasp hasp latch of the emergency exit doors, thereby requiring employees to remove them to allow opening the doors.  NOTE:  Certification of abatement is not required for this citation item since it was submitted and documented prior to citation issuance.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $3,702 · Current $2,777 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR  1910.101(b):  Section 3.3.4 Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet P1-1965, as adopted by 29 CFR 1910.101(b): charged and empty cylinders should be stored separately with the storage layout so planned that cylinders comprising old stock can be removed first with a minimum handling of other cylinders:   a. On or about December 12, 2023, at the receiving area. Employees worked and walked by empty propane (LPG) gas cylinders that were not labelled, stored and secured to prevent being knocked over.    NOTE: Certification of abatement is not required for this citation item since it was submitted and documented prior to citation issuance.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $7,404 · Current $5,553 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.151(c): Where employees were exposed to injurious corrosive materials, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body were not provided within the work area for immediate emergency use [ANSIZ358.1-2004]:    On or about December 12, 2023, an emergency eye wash station was not provided in the immediate area when employees worked with corrosive cleaning products in the following areas:  a. At the housekeeping room area. Employees used Ecolab products such as Multi-Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner (Alkyl [C14, C12, C16] dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride); Marketguard 121 (sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite); and Market Clean (monoethanolamine) during facilities surfaces housekeeping operations.   b. At the meat department area.  Employees used Ecolab products such as GreaseLift (monoethanolamine), Kayquat II (Alkyl [C14, C12, C16] dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride); and Kay Block Whitener (sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite) during surfaces and equipment cleaning operations.   NOTE 1:  Cost-U-Less St. Thomas was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.151(c) , which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1647274, citation number (1) item number (1) and was affirmed as a final order on 05-30-2023, with respect to a workplace located at 4400 Weymouth Rhymer Hway, St. Thomas, VI 00802.  NOTE 2: Certification of abatement is not required for this citation item since it was submitted and documented prior to citation issuance.

Issued

Mar 20, 2024

Penalty

Initial $12,342 · Current $9,256 Reduced

General-duty citation text

29 CFR 1910.178(l)(4)(iii): An evaluation of each powered industrial truck operator's performance was not being conducted at least once every three years:  a. On or about December 12, 2023, at the receiving area. Employees were exposed to a struck by hazard while loading, unloading and storing pallets of merchandise when using the following power industrial trucks: Crown C-5 propane (LPG) and Crown RC- 5535-30 battery operated forklifts.   NOTE 1:  Cost-U-Less St. Thomas was previously cited for a violation of this occupational safety and health standard or its equivalent standard 1910.178(l)(4)(iii), which was contained in OSHA inspection number 1647274, citation number (1) item number (2) and was affirmed as a final order on 05-30-2023, with respect to a workplace located at 4400 Weymouth Rhymer Hway, St. Thomas, VI 00802.  NOTE 2: Certification of abatement is not required for this citation item since it was submitted and documented prior to citation issuance.