OSHA Inspection: WAL-MART DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Issued

May 10, 1988

Abate by

May 19, 1988

Penalty

Initial $1,000 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The
employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were
free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death
or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to
the hazard of fractures and crushing injuries while operating forklifts
loading and unloading freight. These forklifts, including the order
picker forklift made by Crown Company I.D. No. 30RCII 190 are subject to
topple to the ground in the event they enter a trailer that is pulling
away from the dock door when the forklifts are part way in the trailer.
Accident resulted in a fatality at 9 a.m. April 6, 1988.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is the enforcement of a written company policy for
"appointment loads" to ensure that all personnel are clear, trailer
doors are closed and no one is inside before the trailer is moved away
from the dock.