FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida cafeteria is being cited with more than $130,000 in penalties by the federal government for allegedly subjecting its employees to chemical and burn hazards.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one of Compass Group USA Inc., DBA Chartwells Dining cafeterias in South Florida had hazards related to employee exit routes such as doors swinging out in the wrong direction. Chartwells also did not have appropriate "quick drenching" facilities for those workers dealing with cleaning chemicals. In addition, Chartwells failed to train its employees on how to properly work with certain chemicals.
“Employers are required to ensure employees who work with hazardous chemicals know the dangers associated with those chemicals and provide them with readily available facilities to minimize injuries,” OSHA Fort Lauderdale area office director Condell Eastmond said in a statement.
Chartwells must comply, contest or request a conference related to the charges within 15 days of receiving the citations, according to OSHA.