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OSHA’s latest sweep of facilities shows that the agency is casting a wide net.

Now a retail company faces an $89,000 fine.

OSHA has cited CVS Pharmacy, Inc., for repeat and serious violations after an inspection at its Orange, CT, store.

Inspectors found employees working in the store’s stockroom weren’t provided with unobstructed and effective emergency exit routes. Containers and pallets were blocking exit routes.

OSHA had cited CVS in 2007 for similar conditions at stores in Darien, CT, and New York City. That means the citation was considered repeat, carrying a hefty price tag of $70,000.

CVS was also fined $19,000 for these violations at the store in Orange:

• an unmarked exit door
• unmounted fire extinguishers
• no fire extinguisher training for employees
• lack of a site-specific emergency action plan for employees, and
• boxes of stock stored in tiers that weren’t stacked, secured or limited in height to prevent them from collapsing on workers.

In a statement, CVS said it’s committed to a “safe work environment for its employees” and says it will work with OSHA to resolve the matter.

CVS has 15 business days to decide whether to appeal the fines.

Tags: CVS, emergency action plan, exit routes, retail company, serious violation