OSHA Proposes Fines for Market Basket

JON SPRINGER

CONCORD, N.H. — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration here has proposed fines of more than $589,000 to Demoulas Market Basket as a result of 30 violations of workplace safety standards at its stores.

The fines, which may be contested by the Tewksbury, Mass.-based retailer, stem from an investigation of an April accident at the Rindge, N.H., store in which an employee fell 11 feet from what OSHA called an inadequately guarded storage mezzanine, suffering broken bones and head trauma. OSHA found a similar fall hazard at the Concord, N.H., store and at three stores in Massachusetts.

In addition, OSHA said Demoulas failed to provide hand protection for workers in the deli and bakery departments at Rindge despite a previous citation for the same violation at its Tewksbury and Westford, Mass., stores. These “willful violations” resulted in a $261,000 fine, OSHA said.

OSHA in addition fined Demoulas $225,500 for seven repeat violations and $102,700 for 19 serious violations including obstructed exits, and lack of adequate hand and eye protections. Repeat violations are those for which an employer has been previously cited, including in this case a lack of training and procedures for workers using meat saws and other equipment.

A spokesman for Demoulas was not immediately available for comment.