Auto recycler cited for 35 safety violations, faces $869K in penalties
An agreement has been reached between the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and The Auto Store LLC, which operates as My Auto Store. By settling with the DOL, the auto recycler and used parts supplier has agreed to 35 workplace safety violations at its Camden facility and all corresponding penalties. A recent OSHA investigation resulted in two willful violations, four repeat violations, and 29 additional violations. The most serious violations involved failing to make sure employees could exit the workplace safely, inadequately protecting workers from machine operation hazards, and a lack of lockout/tagout procedures. For these citations, The Auto Store will have to pay $868,628 in penalties and work to comply with federal safety regulations. In addition, the company will have to implement a comprehensive corporate Safety and Health Management System.
In a recent quote, Regional Solicitor Jeffrey S. Rogoff said, “Our settlement with The Auto Store LLC shows again that the department's OSHA and its Office of the Solicitor will enforce safety standards vigorously to ensure that employers come into compliance and make meaningful safety improvements to protect their employees. The resolution we reached requires enhanced programs to protect workers from serious hazards and allows them to provide input and to participate in the company's safety programs.”
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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