Strategies_Spring_2025

OPERATIONS

According to Todd Jensen, director of the OSHA Toledo Area Office, the most common infractions for independent home improvement retailers include: Top 4 OSHA Violations for Home Improvement Stores

Forklift Safety Training The lack of a formal forklift safety training program is the top OSHA violation among home improvement retail stores, including the daily inspections that need to be done for each unit. Chemical HAZCOM Training There are many chemicals used in hardware and paint stores, and anything other than water is going to be considered a hazardous chemical. Be sure team members are trained on the health effects and proper procedures for paint spills and other chemicals that will likely spill at some point and need to be cleaned up.

General Duty Clause These infractions many times include propane filling operations, where there is improper setup or employers aren’t wearing gloves and face shields when they’re filling tanks. Or, if there are devices being used to make adapters for tanks that aren’t approved.

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Machine Guarding Most retailers have shop tools, such as pipe threading machines, band saws or bench grinders in the back room, and this equipment has to be properly guarded and shielded.

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