The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited two retail stores in Aventura, Florida for repeated and serious violations that put employees at risk.

Various Macy’s Inc. locations have been inspected by OSHA 42 times since 2007 and they have been cited for things like blocked exits, obstructed access to electrical panels and flexible cords instead of installing permanent wiring. Macy’s has 157,900 employees nationwide. We see OSHA citations for blocked exits in retail stores all the time, and in a small space with limited access to exit doors this is a really dangerous hazard to employees. If there are only a couple exits in a store they need to be clear in the event of a fire or other emergency.

The Aventura Macy’s was inspected after there were several workplace injuries. Inspectors also visited The Finish Line store which rents space out in part of Macy’s store. The stores received 14 violations with proposed fines totaling $103,220.

Macy’s received three repeat violations for blocking access to electrical disconnect switches, for exposing workers to electrical shock hazards by using flexible cable and not fixed wiring, and for having unmarked exit doors. They also received serious violations for locking exit doors with a padlock and obstructing exit routes, and for exposing employees to electrical shock hazards from unprotected wires in outlets. They received another serious violation because the receiving and storage areas were unsanitary and had trash around on the floor. They received other-than-serious violations for failing to mark exit routes, and for failing to mount and identify fire extinguishers.

The Finish Line was handed serious violations for failing to keep their storage area clean and free of clutter, and for blocking exit routes. They too received one other-than-serious violation for failing to mount fire extinguishers.

“Macy’s continues to ignore OSHA standards and previously cited violations that relate to blocked emergency exits and access to electrical disconnect panels that puts employees at risk of serious injury or death,” said the Fort Lauderdale OSHA area director Condell Eastmond.