OSHA cited a New York-based maintenance company following a fatal forklift incident at Boston’s Logan International Airport.
Inspectors determined that the forklift operator was attempting to drive into a building on Aug. 29, 2023 when the vehicle’s forks and mast struck the overhang of the entrance. This caused the forklift to tip over.
The forklift operator, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, fell out of the forklift which fatally struck him while he was on the ground.
OSHA found that the company failed to ensure the forklift operator wore a seat belt while operating the forklift, which exposed him to rollover and crushing hazards.
Fine: $46,096
Company: Oxford Airport Technical Services, Rochester, New York
Business: Other airport operations
Reasons for fine:
Five serious violations for failing to:
- provide employment free from recognized rollover and crushing hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm
- ensure that forklift operators kept forks raised only as far as necessary
- ensure that all forklift operators had properly completed training and evaluation
- take unsafe forklifts out of service
- ensure forklifts were examined before being placed in service
