Norton Ordered To Correct Town Hall Work Hazards

NORTON, MA — The Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has directed Norton to make corrections within town hall after a DLS inspection uncovered employee hazards in November. The inspection was based on a complaint received in October that Norton town employees were being exposed to unsafe work conditions in town hall.

DLS inspectors visited the town hall to view conditions and interview employees on Nov. 7. DLS sent a letter to Norton Town Manager Michael Yunits on Jan. 28 detailing several hazards that it determined put employees at health-related risk.

Violations included objects being kept in storage blocking exit paths and stairways, poorly lit exits, unmarked exits, missing exit signs, exit signs not illuminated and locked doors on exit routes that could not be opened in case of an emergency. There were also found to be unmarked parts of the floor where there was a risk of stumbling or falling, fire extinguishers with outdated inspections, an untested sprinkler system, exposed wires and combustible materials in stairwells.

The DLS letter said Norton must provide photographic evidence that hazard have been completed or that significant progress has been made toward their completion.

A full list of hazards and photos can be found here.