OSHA Insider

Essential Updates

January 2025 Edition

Critical Safety Lapses Lead to Severe Consequences Across Industries

Hello Safety Advocates,

In this edition of our newsletter, we delve into a series of alarming safety incidents across various industries, each demonstrating severe consequences due to overlooked safety protocols. These cases underscore the importance of rigorous safety enforcement and the critical need for employers to prioritize worker protection consistently.

1. Fatal Forklift Incident at Tire Distribution Facility Highlights Critical Safety Failures: A tragic forklift accident at a tire distribution center reveals significant safety oversight, resulting in fatal injuries to an operator. This incident calls attention to the necessity of proper training and safe equipment handling protocols.

2. Unguarded Machinery Leads to Worker Amputations at Bakeware Manufacturer: At a bakeware manufacturing facility, two workers suffered amputations due to inadequately guarded machinery, highlighting the devastating impact of neglecting machine safety standards and training.

3. Repeated Fall Hazard Violations Lead to Hefty Fines for Newark Roofing Contractor: A roofing contractor in Newark faces substantial fines for repeated safety violations, specifically for failing to provide fall protection, showcasing a persistent disregard for workplace safety that puts workers at significant risk.

These stories collectively illustrate the dire need for comprehensive safety measures and the harsh realities of failing to implement them. As we discuss these incidents, let us reaffirm our commitment to upholding the highest safety standards to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Stay safe and proactive,

Dale

Fatal Forklift Incident at Tire Distribution Facility Highlights Critical Safety Failures

A tragic incident at a tire distribution center in Elm Mott has once again underscored the vital importance of proper workplace safety training and equipment maintenance. An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into a June 2024 accident revealed that the fatal injuries suffered by a forklift operator could have been prevented with appropriate safety measures.

Investigation Findings and Safety Violations

The investigation identified that the forklift operator was struck by a falling pallet of industrial truck tires due to a failure in the three-tier rack storage system. The system's vertical supports were damaged, and the horizontal beam locks were missing, leading to the catastrophic collapse. Inspectors found that the facility failed to properly train forklift drivers and improperly stored un-banded pallets higher than 16 feet, posing severe risks to worker safety.

Consequences and Enforcement

As a result of these findings, the facility faces significant penalties totaling $288,299 for one willful and 11 serious safety violations. These citations reflect the serious nature of the infractions and the need for immediate corrective actions to prevent further incidents.

Importance of Compliance and Training

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting crucial safety protocols, including training and equipment maintenance. Employers must adhere to established safety standards and best practices to protect workers from known hazards in warehouse and manufacturing settings.

As we reflect on this event, let us recommit to prioritizing safety and continuous training to safeguard the lives and well-being of all workers.

Unguarded Machinery Leads to Worker Amputations at Bakeware Manufacturer

A recent investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has once again highlighted the critical importance of machinery safety protocols in preventing severe workplace injuries. A bakeware manufacturer in Cleveland has been cited after failing to prevent two distressing incidents where workers suffered amputations due to unguarded machinery.

Incident Details and OSHA Findings

The first incident involved a 37-year-old employee who sustained an amputation injury while operating a power press. The machine unexpectedly cycled while the worker was servicing it, due to improperly secured pullbacks. Just two weeks later, a 64-year-old worker, only four months into the job, experienced a similar fate while clearing scrap from another mechanical power press. The die closed without warning because the machine lacked adequate guarding and had not been properly locked out during maintenance.

Violations and Penalties

In response to these incidents, OSHA cited the company for one willful violation and five serious violations, proposing penalties totaling $182,293. These citations underscore the employer's failure to implement essential safety measures, including proper machine guarding and effective lockout/tagout procedures to secure machines against unexpected startup during maintenance.

Safety Obligations and Previous Citations

This is not the first time the company has faced such issues. In 2017, another worker suffered amputation injuries under similar circumstances, highlighting a troubling pattern of safety lapses. OSHA Area Director emphasized the company's duty to safeguard its employees, stating that immediate action is required to evaluate and enhance machine safety across its operations.

The Path Forward

These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting machine safety, a fundamental aspect of workplace protection. Employers must adhere to safety standards rigorously to ensure that such preventable injuries do not occur, and workers can return home safely each day.

Repeated Fall Hazard Violations Lead to Hefty Fines for Newark Roofing Contractor

A Newark construction contractor faces significant penalties totaling $328,545 for persistent safety violations across multiple worksites, illustrating a severe disregard for fall protection measures. These repeated failures have not only endangered workers but have also placed the contractor on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) ‘Severe Violator’ list.

Incidents and Inspections

The issues came to light after OSHA conducted inspections at three North Jersey worksites operated by the contractor. The first incident occurred in Dover, where inspectors responded to reports of employees working on a roof without fall protection. Despite warnings, subsequent inspections at two additional worksites in Lodi revealed that employees continued to work without the necessary fall protection. Inspectors also noted other safety violations, including the absence of hard hats, eye protection, fire extinguishers, non-compliant scaffold poles, and unsafe ladder use.

Violations and Penalties

Following these inspections, OSHA cited the contractor for four willful and seven serious violations. These citations reflect the contractor's ongoing neglect of basic safety measures necessary to protect workers from falls, the leading cause of death and serious injuries in the construction industry.

Background and Previous Citations

This contractor has been cited multiple times since 2017 for similar safety infractions, demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance. The repeated nature of these violations and the willful disregard for worker safety have necessitated their inclusion in OSHA’s Severe Violators Enforcement Program.

Area Director’s Statement

The OSHA Area Director emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that failing to provide and use fall protection on rooftops is extremely dangerous. The contractor's continual failure to adhere to safety standards, despite previous citations, represents a serious threat to worker safety.

Closing Thoughts

This case serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of compliance with safety standards, particularly in high-risk industries like construction. It underscores the need for all employers to take proactive steps to ensure that safety protocols are not just in place but are actively followed to protect workers from preventable injuries and fatalities.

Get Fall Protection Certification Today

About the Author

Hey Everyone,

As we conclude this edition of our newsletter, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for joining us on this journey of safety enlightenment. The stories we've shared, from the tragic to the triumphant, remind us of the critical importance of our collective commitment to workplace safety.

These cases serve as a sobering reminder of the real-world consequences when safety protocols are overlooked. It underscores the necessity for each of us to not only advocate for stringent safety measures but to actively implement them in our daily operations.

As your partner in safety, I'm inspired by our shared dedication to creating safer work environments. Let the insights from this edition motivate us to review, refine, and reinforce our safety practices. Remember, the strength of our safety programs lies not just in compliance but in our unwavering commitment to protect every worker who trusts us with their well-being.

Looking ahead, we promise to continue bringing you the most relevant, informative, and actionable safety insights. Your feedback, stories, and engagement fuel our mission, and together, we can forge a future where workplace accidents are a rarity, not an expectation.

Until our next edition, stay safe, stay informed, and never underestimate the impact of your role in safeguarding the health and safety of our workplaces.

Warmest regards,

Dale