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SAFETY / OSHA - 12/15/10

OSHA cites Home Depot in San Antonio for lack of worker protective equipment, improper recordkeeping

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued serious and repeat citations to Home Depot U.S.A. Inc. at 9115 North Loop 1604 in San Antonio for lacking adequate personal protective equipment and deficient injury recordkeeping. Proposed penalties total $70,500.

"As a large, national employer with a history of OSHA inspections and citations at other facilities, we are disappointed to find so many of the same or similar hazards at this facility," said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in San Antonio. "It's imperative that this company and all employers adhere to safety and health standards to prevent worker injuries."

OSHA began its inspection on July 30, and found that an employee had sustained chemical burns due to lack of appropriate personal protective equipment and training for protective equipment.

Serious violations cited include failure to train employees on the proper use of protective equipment, failure to teach employees how to safely clean up spills and not assessing respiratory hazards. A serious citation is issued when there is a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Repeat violations cited include failure to ensure eye protection was utilized; failure to provide adequate eye wash and quick drenching facilities; failure to properly record and describe injuries on the OSHA injury and illness recordkeeping form; and improper certification of the form. A repeat violation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. However, at the time this inspection began, the current repeat violation policy was within the last three years.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's San Antonio Area Office or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Employers and employees with questions about workplace safety and health standards can call OSHA's San Antonio Area Office at 210-472-5040 or the agency's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) to report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers.

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