Forever 21 fined 236,500 dollars for unsafe stores

US teen retailer, Forever 21 has been fined 236,500 dollars for having unsafe 

conditions in retail locations at Times Square and Paramus in New Jersey.

The US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Forever 21 for endangering employees by exposing them to safety hazards in stores in New Jersey and Manhattan. The OSHA inspected both stores last July, after a number of complaints citing work violations has been sent in.

At the 90,000 square foot New York flagship, inspectors found obstructed exit routes, as well as fluorescent lights with no covers, which were both repeated violations from a fine the store had in 2012. The flagship store was also cited because it was found in a unclean and disorderly state.

At the Paramus store inspectors found four repeated violations from its previous inspection in 2012, which also included obstructed exit routes, uncovered fluorescent lights as well as an unmounted fire extinguisher that was not accessible and stored materials that were not properly stored.

"It is unacceptable for Forever 21 to continue repeating these violations, which are common among retailers, and put workers at serious risk," commented Robert Kulick, the OSHA's regional administrator in New York. He added that he felt that "retail managers have a legal responsibility to inspect their stores, identify potential hazards and quickly eliminate them to ensure worker safety and health."

The teen retailer has fifteen business days after receiving its citations to make the necessary changes or counter the citations before the independent OSHA review commission.