Labor Department Proposed $169K in Fines for West Babylon Big Lots

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed over $169,000 in fines for repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards after inspections at the Big Lots store in West Babylon.

The OSHA said they found "several hazardous conditions" in the West Babylon storefront, including exit routes and aisles blocked by piles and pallets of merchandise and improperly stacked boxes containing merchandise.

"The obstructed aisles and exit routes compromise safe exiting in an emergency, while the improperly stacked boxes, some of which were crushed and leaning, could fall and strike workers," the OSHA said in a statement.

The conditions results in a fine of $147,000 for three repeat citations, following inspections that began on May 15 following a complaint about the store. Similar complains of the Columbus, Ohio-based chain have been cited at stores in Alabama, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

“The size of these fines reflects both the severity of these hazards and the recurrence of similar violations at the company’s other stores,” said Anthony Ciuffo, OSHA’s area director for Long Island. “For the safety and well-being of its employees, Big Lots needs to address these conditions effectively at all its locations.”

An additional $22,000 in fines were issued after five "serious citations" at the store located at 501 Montauk Highway.

According to the release, those additional fines came for improperly marked or posted aisles, exit routes and doors that could be mistaken for exits; a lack of portable fire extinguisher training, lack of training, material safety data sheets and a written hazard communication program for workers using chemical cleansers.