The issues identified in the OSHA investigation were a repetition of the very same problems OSHA encountered when it previously inspected a Forever 21 store in another state. The prior violations were found in 2011. As a result of the repeat violations, the latest fines against the company total $55,000.

Two workplace safety issues were identified. Stock items were discovered piled in such a manner that employees were placed at risk of injury from falling boxes. Moreover, the emergency exits were either blocked or the passageways otherwise too small to accommodate the safety of the company’s workers.

OSHA indicated that the cited company has several options to choose from upon receipt of the notice of violations. Within 15 business days, Forever 21 must pay the fines and correct the underlying safety problems. In the alternative, it can request a meeting with the area director for OSHA to attempt to conciliate the findings. Finally, the store also has the option of formally contesting the OSHA findings.

A company’s failure to follow safety procedures places its employees at greater risk of a workplace accident. This retailer must now answer to OSHA once again for the same issues that were discovered in another of its stores in New Jersey. Apart from the potential imposition of significant fines by OSHA, those store workers who suffer an injury on the job are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Professional assistance is available to help with the timely filing and processing of claims in Massachusetts to ensure that all benefits to which a worker is entitled are received.

Source: Burlington, MA Patch, “Burlington Business Cited for Workforce Safety Violations,” Richard Hosford, Feb. 13, 2013

The gas company received reports of a gas leak late on a Saturday afternoon. Officials moved to evacuate the area ahead of the 5:30 p.m. explosion. The people injured were primarily city and gas company employees. When gas workers discovered an explosion was imminent, most of the individuals who were injured took cover behind a utility truck. The truck was destroyed in the blast that followed.

In all, nine firefighters and two policemen, as well as four gas company workers, two civilians and a Springfield government employee were taken to two area hospitals for treatment. The nature and extent of their injuries was not detailed in a news report. However, officials lauded the quick thinking of the workers involved to prevent the potential for catastrophic injuries to a great number of people.

Workers’ compensation benefits are typically paid to employees in Massachusetts who are injured or become ill on the job. Firemen and policemen, however, do not come under the provisions of the statute and are handled separately according to our laws and procedures. Here, the gas workers and the injured city government worker are likely entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits to cover their medical expenses and missed time from work, while the injured firemen and police officers have procedures that apply specifically to them.

Source: wistv.com, “Gas blast at Mass. strip club under investigation,” Nov. 24, 2012