Texas Beverage Distributor Fined for Failing to Provide Forklift Training

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Frio Distributing Co. in Hondo, Texas, with one alleged willful, nine alleged serious and two alleged other-than-serious violations following a safety and health inspection at the company’s facility in Hondo. Proposed penalties total $52,250.

OSHA began its inspection on Sept. 10 at the company’s facility at 509 Carter and cited the employer with a willful violation for failing to properly train workers in the use of forklifts

The serious violations pertain to failing to provide guardrails on elevated working areas; failing to provide proper housekeeping by placing miscellaneous items on the stairway, creating a trip hazard; and electrical deficiencies, including lack of enclosures or guards to prevent damage to electrical components, exposed live conductors, and blocked and unlabeled electrical disconnects.

Other-than-serious violations were cited for failing to record injuries in the OSHA 300 log and to keep fire exits clear.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA San Antonio Area Office director or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA