Industry Fears Crowd Control Alert To Retailers May Bolster General-Duty Cases

Industry sources are criticizing elements of a continued OSHA campaign of warning retailers about the need for crowd management during sales events, saying a letter and fact sheet for companies from the agency could serve to bolster general duty clause cases in the absence of a specific standard addressing the issue. One attorney argues that if OSHA wants to address crowd control it should instead consider issuing a rule. A key case testing the issue – over a trampling that occurred at a Wal-Mart store – is still awaiting a hearing from the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, whi