The United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently penalized an Elizabeth, N.J.-based freight carrier, for committing 17 serious, other-than-serious and repeat safety violations. The company in question is none other than the, New England Motor Freight Inc.
The OSHA inspectors had found several instances where forklifts were not being operated appropriately. This in turn resulted in serious injuries and collisions. Furthermore, many employees failed to wear their seat belts, while they were operating on the forklifts. Moreover, none of the workers ever received any form of safety training. As a result, the organization is being penalized with a hefty fine of $76,000.
Generally, serious citations are issued by OSHA when there is a substantial probability that serious physical harm or death could result from a hazard. More so, the employer either knew about the hazard or should have known about its presence.
OSHA's area director for Rhode Island, Patrick Griffin, said that, "Employers and workers must understand that lack of operator training and improper operation of forklifts can have severe and lasting consequences for workers”. He further went on to say that, "OSHA standards mandate initial and periodic refresher training for forklift operators to ensure the machines are operated safely."
As usual, the company has 15 days to either comply with or contest the findings in front of an Independent OSH Review Commission.
The OSHA inspectors had found several instances where forklifts were not being operated appropriately. This in turn resulted in serious injuries and collisions. Furthermore, many employees failed to wear their seat belts, while they were operating on the forklifts. Moreover, none of the workers ever received any form of safety training. As a result, the organization is being penalized with a hefty fine of $76,000.
Generally, serious citations are issued by OSHA when there is a substantial probability that serious physical harm or death could result from a hazard. More so, the employer either knew about the hazard or should have known about its presence.
OSHA's area director for Rhode Island, Patrick Griffin, said that, "Employers and workers must understand that lack of operator training and improper operation of forklifts can have severe and lasting consequences for workers”. He further went on to say that, "OSHA standards mandate initial and periodic refresher training for forklift operators to ensure the machines are operated safely."
As usual, the company has 15 days to either comply with or contest the findings in front of an Independent OSH Review Commission.
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