Description

On March 28th, 2024, at approximately 5:00 PM, a sewage backup occurred at Tavern In the Square, Worcester, MA. This resulted in unsafe working conditions for employees.
* Contaminated Water: Sewage water flooded the restaurant in multiple locations, including behind the bar (ankle-deep) and the kitchen (with toilet paper present). This contaminated water seeped into the beverage station beneath shelving used for potentially food-contact items.
* Lack of Sanitation: Management continued to seat new guests despite the contaminated water and the inability to use running water. This meant removing previously placed water glasses from tables and being unable to properly wash hands due to a lack of both running water and hand sanitizer.
* Employee Exposure: Management required employees to continue working in these unsanitary conditions, including walking through the contaminated water.
This incident highlights several potential safety violations, including:
* Exposure to Sewage: Sewage water can contain harmful bacteria and viruses posing a health risk to employees and potentially customers.
* Lack of Proper Hand Hygiene: The inability to properly wash hands increases the risk of spreading pathogens.
* Continued Operation in Unsafe Conditions: Encouraging continued work despite the sewage backup could lead to slips, falls, or exposure to contaminants.