A Georgia recycling company previously cited for safety violations following the 2019 workplace death of a welder employed by a contractor in the facility was cited again during a follow-up inspection.
The company is accused of failing to ensure workers were properly trained before operating telescoping forklifts and failed to examine the forklifts before placing them in service.
OSHA cited the company for similar violations in 2019 when a forklift struck an unsupported beam, causing it to fall and fatally injure the welder, according to a Department of Labor news release.
Fine: $112,212
Company: TAV Holdings Inc., Atlanta
Business: Recyclable material merchant wholesalers
Reasons for fine:
Two repeat violations for failure to:
- ensure each operator successfully completed required forklift training
- examine industrial trucks before placing them in service
14 serious violations for failure to:
- provide employment free from recognized struck-by hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm
- ensure all places of employment were kept in clean, orderly and sanitary condition
- mount, locate and identify portable fire extinguishers so they’re readily accessible
- visually inspect portable fire extinguishers on monthly basis
- ensure all nameplates and markings were in place on forklifts
- take damaged or malfunctioning forklifts out of service
- prevent employees from walking under elevated portions of powered industrial trucks
- ensure operators lowered forklift loads when dismounted while being 25 feet or more away
- use welding curtains while employees were welding sheet metal
- close openings through which conductors entered cutout boxes, cabinets or fittings
- install labeled electrical equipment in accordance with label instructions
- prevent use of flexible cords as substitutes for fixed wiring
- provide strain relief for flexible cords
- use weatherproof receptacles in outdoor areas
Two other-than serious violations for failure to:
- produce lists of hazardous chemicals present on the worksite using product identifiers referenced on appropriate safety data sheets
- maintain workplace copies of required safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical
