NMED NEWS

The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) cited a Santa Fe business for violations of the state’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, resulting in an unsafe workplace.

The O’Reilly Auto Parts store at 4715 Airport Road in Santa Fe did not ensure employees wore face coverings during an NMED inspection in early July, in violation of state law, public health orders and COVID-Safe Practices and exposing the five employees working in close proximity to one another in the sales area to the imminent danger of COVID-19. The store also did not encourage or post signage urging customers to wear face coverings while inside the store, further endangering employees.

An NMED inspector observed during subsequent inspections that the store appears to have corrected these violations.

“Everyone in New Mexico deserves a safe place to work,” said NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney. “When employers do not take steps to protect employees from COVID-19 or other workplace hazards, we will hold them accountable.”

The business must pay $79,200 in penalties and provide documentation that the violations have been corrected. O’Reilly Auto Parts has the option to contest the citation and penalty.