A forklift operator’s death at a tire distribution facility in Elm Mott, Texas, has led to 12 safety citations and $288,299 in proposed fines for Mitchell Industrial Tire Co. Inc., the U.S. Department of Labor announced.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation, launched after the June 2024 incident, found that the operator was fatally injured when a pallet of industrial truck tires fell from a damaged three-tier rack system. OSHA inspectors determined that the rack’s vertical supports were compromised, and horizontal beam locks were missing, creating a hazardous environment for workers.
The investigation revealed broader safety issues at the facility, including inadequate training for forklift operators and improper storage of unbanded pallets taller than 16 feet, both of which violated federal safety standards.
“Neglecting to train forklift operators properly can lead to devastating consequences, as seen at Mitchell Industrial Tire,” said OSHA Area Director Timothy Minor in Fort Worth, Texas. “The company must comply with safety requirements to protect workers from the many hazards present in warehouses and manufacturing facilities.”
Mitchell Industrial Tire, which manufactures solid tires for the material handling industry at its Chattanooga, Tennessee, facility, operates three distribution centres across the U.S. OSHA cited the company for one willful and 11 serious violations, highlighting widespread failures that exposed employees to life-threatening risks.
The company has 15 business days to comply with the citations, request an informal conference with OSHA, or contest the findings before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The case underscores the importance of proper safety protocols in warehouse operations, particularly regarding employee training and storage system maintenance, as employers seek to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
