5 Grocery Stores Fined for Failure to Protect Employees From COVID-19

Cal/OSHA Hands Out $100,000 in Fines for Health and Safety Violations

Los Angeles County, CA (October 1, 2020) – Five grocery stores in Los Angeles County were recently cited by Cal/OSHA for failing to protect their employees from COVID-19.

Four local Ralphs branches and one Food 4 Less branch received citations for various health and safety violations. Cal/OSHA proposed a $16,500 fine for the Food 4 Less in Los Angeles. As for the Ralphs locations, the Culver City location received a $25,560 penalty, as well as $25,120 for the West Hollywood location, $23,700 for the Sherman Oaks location and $13,500 for the Studio City location.

Ralphs failed to properly notify the state after two workers died from COVID-19. The store put workers at risk by allowing too many customers in the store. There were also no physical barriers between employees and customers. The employees were not trained on sanitization and how to prevent infection. At Food 4 Less, employees were not maintaining physical distancing between themselves and customers.

#Los Angeles County