The United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has
cited Saia Motor Freight Line for twelve safety and health violations, comprised of one willful
and eleven serious violation. These citations come in response to an inspection in August of 2014
after an explosion which injured four workers in a St. Louis facility. The explosion was a result
of a forklift’s ignition source and a loose coupling connection to a liquid propane gas tank.
Investigators found that two forklift operators were charging a propane tank on a liquefied
petroleum gas-powered forklift inside a freight trailer when a loose coupling connection
permitted liquid propane to leak, vaporize, and ignite, causing a flash fire. These violations carry
proposed penalties of $119,000.
“Workers must be trained to avoid deadly combinations of flammable fuels, ignition sources and
confined spaces, which allow vapors to ignite quickly,” said Bill McDonald, OSHA’s area
director in St. Louis. “This incident should remind all employers that using forklifts is one of the
hazards workers may face daily.”
The willful violation was cited when inspectors found several powered industrial trucks with
defective or bypassed safety switches being used when they were in need of repairs. The
majority of the serious violations were related to propane hazards.
When working with propane or any potentially flammable chemical, it is important to be sure
your facility is up to code. If you let your policies and procedures get outdated or if you do not
follow them, your employees will be at risk and your company will be at risk of an OSHA audit.
If you have any questions about properly establishing occupational safety and health policies and
procedures, please contact us. If you have anything to add about this case or the importance of
establishing accurate policies and procedures, please leave a comment.
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