The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division recently issued a collection of citations carrying over $70,000 in penalties to Sysco Hawaii, Inc. The foodservice distribution center received the fines after two forklifts collided near an obstructed-view area of a dry dock, resulting in one worker sustaining serious injuries.
Inspectors determined that the company allowed forklift operators to drive at unsafe speeds, and failed to develop an effective safety and health program for operating forklifts
Last November two warehouse associates failed to slow down and sound their equipment horns in an area of the dry dock that had a large pillar that obstructed their views. The collision not only seriously injured one worker, but multiple storage racks were also damaged, creating additional safety concerns because they were not anchored to the floor with anchor bolts. Sysco also failed to provide written procedures specifically addressing powered industrial truck speed limits.
