Citing obstructed emergency exits and health and safety violations at the Cobleskill Wal-Mart Super Center, the federal Department of Labor has fined Wal-Mart $52,600.
The Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the store for repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards following inspections by OSHA's Albany area office.
OSHA officials said they found emergency exit access from a receiving and storage area was obstructed by the storage of pallets containing merchandise and equipment, and employees were not able to safely operate pallet jacks in aisles and passageways that were obstructed by stacked merchandise.
In addition, OSHA said portable fire extinguishers were not mounted and located in safely accessible areas, and the lack of a protective fitting and strain relief for an electrical conduit entering a control box presented an electrical hazard.
These conditions, OSHA officials said, resulted in the issuance of citations with $48,200 in proposed fines for three repeat violations.
A repeat violation exists, they said, 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.
In this case, OSHA had previously cited Wal-Mart for similar hazards at stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas.
Kimberly Castillon, OSHA's area director in Albany, said the repeated hazards are a real concern.
"The recurring nature of these hazards is disturbing and needs to be effectively addressed," she said.
"An employer with multiple locations, such as Wal-Mart, needs to ensure that hazards are identified, corrected, and prevented at all of its workplaces."
OSHA also noted a citation with a $4,400 fine has been issued for a serious violation involving a lack of eye, face and hand protection as well as safety training for employees operating cardboard balers.
A serious violation occurs, they said, 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.
Wal-Mart has 15 business days from the receipt of the 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, OSHA officials said.
Wal-Mart officials in Cobleskill referred calls to their corporate offices.
Wal-Mart spokeswoman Kayla Whaling said Monday, "We're committed to providing our associates with a safe working environment.
"We have placed additional resources to address the areas of concern."
Wal-Mart is working with OSHA officials to reach a resolution, she said.