U.S. workplace safety regulators have cited a farm supply company for failing to properly maintain forklifts at its Ohio facility and proposed penalties of $258,672.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Rural King Supply Inc. after responding to complaints that it allowed employees at a Xenia, Ohio, facility to operate a damaged forklift despite employees reports of faulty brakes, according to a statement on Monday. OSHA investigators determined that the company failed to take the forklift out of service or perform needed repairs.
“This employer ignored employee concerns about unsafe conditions, disregarded safety procedures and put their workers at risk for serious injuries by failing to maintain safe equipment,” Ken Montgomery, OSHA Cincinnati area office director, said in the statement.
A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued $165,400 in penalties to Warren, Michigan-based Central Transport L.L.C. as a part of a settlement agreement which commits the company to improving forklift safety at more than 100 terminals in 26 states.