One employee complains to Cal/OSHA, resulting in one inspection of a retail drug store = Cal/OSHA fine of $9,505
...and next time it could be you.

A recent Cal/OSHA case serves as a reminder that safety and OSHA compliance can not be taken for granted. A Thrifty Payless drug store was the subject of a Cal/OSHA inspection after an employee filed a complaint.

Most California employers will encounter Cal/OSHA after one of the following events:
  1. An employee is seriously hurt of dies is a work related accident
  2. Some one, (usually an employee) files a safety complaint with Cal/OSHA.
  3. Cal/OSHA is involved with a “Triple E C” sweep inspection in targeted industries such as construction, restaurants, agriculture, and garments
In this particular drug store, the Cal/OSHA inspectors found:
  • Boxes stacked within 36 includes of electrical panel boxes – Fine $700
  • Boxes limiting walkways in room exits to less than 24 inches - Fine $700
  • Five foot portable wooden step ladder with a crack in the top plate and loose hardware fittings – Fine $420
  • No employees with first aid training – Fine initially $189, but waived after proof that nearest hospital was 10 miles and 12 minutes driving time away
  • Compressed gas cylinder (helium for balloons) not secured against a wall – Fine $280
  • Failure to maintain 5 years records of maintenance of heating ventilation and air conditioning system – Fine initially $188, waived after proof that records were at corporate headquarters
  • Emergency Action Plan – no training or record of training of employees in use of portable fire extinguishers – Fine $280
  • Failure to post Cal/OSHA poster – Fine $375
  • Exit doorway to outside lined with boxes so not “reasonably free of all obstructions or impediments to full use” – Fine $6,750

    TOTAL=$9,505     for one store, from one complaint, in one inspection.
A periodic building inspection, with a good checklist, would have identified most, if not all of these problems, and allowed for correction of the problems without delay or Cal/OSHA fines. These types of periodic inspections should be part of every employer’s Injury & Illness Prevention Plan.



FREE OFFER

General Safety Inspection Checklist for Buildings, e-mail the request to info@dondressler.com. Don Dressler Consulting assists clients in Cal/OSHA appeals and safety planning and loss control.



For more information and educational tools, contact Dressler at info@dondressler.com, or at (949) 533-3742.
Issue 15, August 2006
Quick Resources
Employers' Bill of Rights
The starting point for an effective human resources strategy.
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HR Kits for Safety and Convenience
We’ve made it simple for you to comply with the law and avoid penalties. Money back guarantee.
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Case Studies
Read some real life situations our clients have faced, and the solutions we designed to reduce their costs and keep them out of future trouble.
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Avoid Sexual Harassment Law Suits.
This free white paper focuses on key strategies to avoid sexual harassment trouble at your business.
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Bi-lingual Heat Stress Cards
Occupational trainers agree that the best way to avoid heat stress illnesses is to educate management and employees on how to prevent it and what to look for in others.

A useful tool to meet your Cal/OSHA training requirements is a bi-lingual heat stress card. The cards cover the best ways for people to beat the heat, symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what you need to do.

The cards are offered by Don Dressler for 20 cents each (covers printing) and available at:
info@dondressler.com.