OSHA has cited Rite Aid of New York Inc. for alleged repeat and serious safety violations at the retailer's 7118 Third Ave. store in Brooklyn, N.Y. Rite Aid faces a total of $111,100 in proposed fines.

Several hazards in the Third Avenue location were found similar to those cited during inspections of Rite Aid stores in Bronx and Rome, N.Y. The recurring violations included shelves and boxes stored that blocked and narrowed an emergency exit route; unsecure piles of boxes subject to collapse; and workers exposed to falls of up to 10 feet with stacking boxes and totes on the unguarded edges of stairs. Three repeat citations totaled $104,500 in proposed penalties

"These conditions endangered workers to potential falls, crushing injuries and an encumbered emergency exit," said Kay Gee, OSHA's area director for Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens.

The Third Avenue store inspection also resulted in two serious safety citations, with $6,600 in fines, for a locked exit and lights not protected from damage.
The Rite Aid of New York citations are available at: www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/RiteAid.pdf*.

Rite Aid has 15 business days from receipt of its 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.