WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROUP, INC

According to U.S. Department of Labor enforcement records, WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROUP, INC — a supermarkets and other grocery retailers (except convenience retailers) facility located at 442 WASHINGTON STREET, WELLESLEY, MA 02482 — was the subject of a formal OSHA inspection that resulted in 7 citation(s) and cumulative proposed penalties of $9,400.00. The inspection case was opened on 2011-09-08.

DOL records document workplace safety violations warranting formal citation under the OSH Act. While classified at the standard enforcement level, all OSHA citations require corrective action and may indicate areas where workplace safety programs should be strengthened.

BLS Injury Data: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022), this industry sector has an occupational injury rate of 3.1 per 100 full-time workers — 15% above the national average of 2.7. The sector fatality rate is 2.2 per 100,000 workers.

Industry Benchmark: The total penalty of $9,400.00 is more than 2.9× the national average of $3,207.45 for facilities in the Retail sector (NAICS 445110). This sector encompasses 30,308 inspected facilities nationwide with aggregate penalties totaling $97.2M.

State Context: Within MA, this facility's penalty places it at the 94th percentile among 60,671 inspected facilities. The statewide average penalty is $2,824.83.

Citation Analysis: The inspection produced 7 citations spanning 3 distinct OSHA regulatory standards. The citation breakdown includes: 2 serious — A workplace hazard that could cause death or serious physical harm exists, and the employer knew or should have known about the condition. 5 other-than-serious — The violation has a direct relationship to job safety and health but is unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm.

Enforcement Timeline: Citations were issued beginning November 7, 2011 with the latest abatement deadline set for March 22, 2012. Of the 7 total citations, 5 (71%) have been marked as abated in DOL records, suggesting partial progress toward required corrective actions.

Penalty Assessment: The total proposed penalty of $9,400.00 falls within OSHA's standard enforcement range and may have been adjusted through informal settlement conference procedures, penalty reduction factors, or good faith credit for demonstrated safety and health management systems.