Lowe's says it has taken 'prompt action' after a viral TikTok showed an employee screaming for help after others encouraged them to retrieve a giant box with a store lift (2024)

Lowe's says it has taken action after a viral TikTok showed an employee being nearly crushed by a large box. Foto: AP Photo/LM Otero

• A viral TikTok with 2.7 million views shows a Lowe's employee nearly being crushed while struggling to retrieve a large box from a high shelf.
• In the TikTok, the employee screams in pain and pleads for help when carrying the object down a lift.
• Lowe's said that the video's actions are "contrary to the training" the company provides employees.

Lowe's said it has taken "prompt action" after a viral TikTok appeared to show an employee screaming in pain as a large object nearly crushes them.

In the video, which takes place near a furniture display in an unidentified Lowe's, the employee is riding down a store lift as they try to bring down a heavy box from a high shelf. The box seems to press against the person's head, neck, and chest.

The TikTok was uploaded by user Spencer Desormeaux this week and has been viewed 2.7 million times. At least one employee is heard encouraging the struggling coworker by saying "keep coming down" and "you can't be scared," whereas another one says "that's not a good idea."

Eventually, while coming down, the object tilts and pushes the employee back into the railing. "Help, help," the employee screamed. "Please, somebody, please" the person pleaded as employees gathered to help.

"Just another day at Lowes with Kelly boy 😂" the caption of the TikTok reads.

Lowe's spokesman Larry Costello told Insider Friday "we are aware of the incident and have taken prompt action to address it."

"The safety of our associates and customers is embedded in our culture at Lowe's, and the actions in this video are contrary to the training that Lowe's provides," Costello said in an email.

Costello did not respond to follow-up questions about what action Lowe's took and what training Lowe's provides employees when it comes to operating a lift.

Do you work for Lowe's and have you had safety concerns? Contact the reporter Ben Tobin on email at [emailprotected] or by encrypted messaging app Signal at +1 703-498-9171.