OSHA: Improper Forklift Training Contributed to Worker Injury

Sept. 4, 2001
A New Jersey company's failure to train workers on the safe\r\noperation of forklifts contributed to serious injuries suffered by an\r\nemployee.

A New Jersey company''s failure to train employees on the safe operation of forklifts contributed to serious injuries suffered by an employee and prompted OSHA to cite the company.

Cosmetic Essence Inc. of Ridgefield, N.J., is facing a fine of $101,250. The company was cited for 17 alleged safety and health violations centering on the company''s failure to train employees on forklift operations.

A worker sustained severe lacerations and chemical exposure after falling from a forklift into a 2,000-gallon chemical mixing kettle last February. He was being lifted on a pallet by the forklift at the time of the accident.

"This worker would not have had to suffer such a serious injury had the employer followed the proper training procedures for forklift operations," said Lisa Levy, OSHA''s area director in Hasbrouck Heights, N.J. "OSHA''s training standard for forklifts and other powered industrial trucks was revised to help reduce accidents like this. Cosmetic Essence must be held accountable for this accident."

OSHA''s investigation resulted in the company being issued an alleged willful violation with a proposed penalty of $63,000 for failure to train workers in the proper operation of forklifts.

Sixteen citations for alleged serious violations were also issued for failing to determine whether employees were capable of driving forklifts, not providing safety platforms for workers being lifted by forklifts, and neglecting to properly guard open-sided platforms. The serious violations were accompanied by a $38,250 proposed penalty.

In 1998, it was estimated that approximately 100 workers are killed and almost 95,000 are injured each year in industrial truck accidents.

OSHA''s revised training standards for industrial trucks was effective in March 1999.

by Virginia Foran

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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