Region 1 News Release: 11-273-BOS/BOS 2011-074
March 3, 2011
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald
Phone: 617-565-2074
E-mail: fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Pep Boys for machine guarding
and electrical hazards at Hamden, Conn., location
Philadelphia-based auto service and retail chain faces $75,000 in fines

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued four repeat and one serious citation to the Pep Boys auto service company following a recent inspection at its facility at 2301 Dixwell Ave. in Hamden, Conn. The Philadelphia-based chain faces a total of $75,000 in proposed fines.

"The size of these fines reflects the fact that Pep Boys previously was cited for a number of similar hazards at its Orange, Conn., location," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. "It would be to the benefit of its workers' safety companywide for this employer to determine if similar hazards exist at other stores and to eliminate them if they do."

OSHA alleges that workers in the Hamden store's service area were exposed to electric shock hazards from damaged power cords, as well as to cuts and lacerations from a grinder that lacked a safety guard, a tongue guard and guarding of its spindle end. OSHA cited Pep Boys in September 2009 for similar hazards at its Orange store. As a result of this latest inspection, OSHA has issued the repeat citations with $70,000 in proposed fines. A repeat citation 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.

Pep Boys was issued the serious citation with a fine of $5,000 for missing face plates on an electrical outlet box and a snap switch box. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Pep Boys has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with the OSHA area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Bridgeport Area Office; telephone 203-579-5581. To report workplace incidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille, audio tape or disc from the COAST office upon request by calling 202-693-7828 or TTY 202-693-7755.