Region 2 News Release: 13-1800-NEW/BOS 2013-148
Sept. 26, 2013
Contact: Ted Fitzgerald Andre J. Bowser
Phone: 617-565-2075 617-565-2074
Email: : fitzgerald.edmund@dol.gov bowser.andre.j@dol.gov

US Labor Department's OSHA cites 7 Trade Fair Supermarkets
in Queens, NY, for laceration, eye, exit hazards; proposes $128,000 in fines

NEW YORK – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited seven Trade Fair Supermarkets stores in Queens for 40 violations of workplace safety standards. The local grocery store chain faces $128,000 in proposed fines following inspections that began in March in response to complaints.

"Our inspections found a disturbing and unacceptable pattern of similar hazards in several stores. For the safety and health of its employees, Trade Fair Supermarkets must take effective action to correct these conditions at these and all its stores," said Kay Gee, OSHA's area director for Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn.

At the seven stores, OSHA found butchers operating band saws with unguarded blades and other workers using cleaning products without protective eye gear, exposing them to lacerations, amputations and eye injuries. Four of the stores compromised swift and safe exiting during a fire or emergency because of locked or blocked exits, obstructed exit access and unilluminated or missing exit signs. These conditions resulted in the issuance of 20 serious violation citations with $122,000 in proposed fines. A serious violation occurs 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.

In addition, six stores failed to post the required annual summary of occupational illnesses and injuries. All seven stores lacked a chemical hazard communication program and training, and five stores had electrical hazards. These conditions resulted in citations for 20 other-than-serious violations with $6,000 in fines. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

All doing business as Trade Fair Supermarkets, the inspected stores included Kamal Corp., 30-08 30th Ave., Astoria; Loreen Food Corp., 37-11 Ditmar Blvd., Astoria; Nadine Food Corp., 99-10 Astoria Blvd., Corona; 89-02 Food Corp., 89-02 37th Ave., Jackson Heights; Ziad Food Corp., 22-20 36th Ave., Long Island City; Crescent Food Corp., 23-55 Broadway, Long Island City; and Coro Food Corp., 49-11 30th Ave., Woodside.

The citations can be viewed at https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Trade_Fair_Supermarket_Press_Release.pdf.*

Trade Fair Supermarkets has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Queens office at 718-279-9060.

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.

* Accessibility Assistance Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.