The U.S. Department of Labor issued citations to a Petco store in North Andover, Mass. for neglecting to safeguard workers from rodent, electrical and chemical hazards. This action occurred after Petco had previously received citations for comparable violations in Texas and Ohio in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
“Protecting the safety and health of employees must be a core value for employers, large and small,” OSHA Area Director Sarah T. Carle said in a DOL news release. “After previous citations for similar violations, Petco is well aware of the importance of having effective programs in place to control pests and safeguard against hazards at all of its locations.”
A federal workplace safety inspection revealed that the store, operated by a subsidiary of Petco Animal Supplies Inc., one of the nation's largest pet care companies, regularly exposed its employees to live and dead rodents, as well as their droppings and urine, the release reported. The DOL's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated the inspection in February 2023 in response to an employee complaint.
According to the release, the inspection found the facility lacked an effective vermin control program to prevent rodents from entering and seeking shelter in areas like the receiving room and sales floor, leading to potential health hazards for employees.
Furthermore, OSHA discovered the North Andover store blocked access to electrical panels, exposing workers to electrical hazards, the release reported. A similar violation was previously cited at another Petco store in Columbus, Ohio, in 2022. The inspection also identified chemical hazards, including unlabeled containers of cleaning chemicals and inadequate facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and skin for employees handling corrosive chemicals.
As a result of these unsafe conditions, OSHA cited the North Andover Petco location for two repeat and two serious violations and proposed penalties totaling $129,473, according to the release.
Petco Animal Supplies Inc., headquartered in San Diego, operates more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Mexico, offering various pet-related services, the release reported. The parent company – Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc. – founded in 1965, reported more than $1.5 billion in net revenue for the first quarter of 2023.
The cited employer has 15 business days to comply with the citations and penalties, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, according to the release.
