Brinker International: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Nov 16, 2024 (fatal): Employee dies of head trauma in fall from ladder to concrete

At 7:45 a.m. on November 16, 2024, an employee working as a for a full-service restaurant chain was attempting to retrieve mobile pan racks that are stored on the patio roof at the back deck near the dumpster area. The mobile pan racks are used during each holiday season. According to a coworker assisting the employee, the employee was up on the roof when he unexpectedly decided to descend the ladder without taking any of the pan racks. The employee was climbing down the ladder from the 10-foot elevated back deck and was possibly on the fourth or fifth rung when he lost control. The ladder swung to the right and the employee fell backward striking his head on the concrete floor. The coworker confirmed that the ladder was not secured at the top and that no one was holding it on the ground while the employee was descending. Due to the uneven concrete surface in the dumpster area, the coworker stated that they placed the ladder legs on two kitchen rags for stability. The ladder was not authorized for use at the restaurant and had been left behind by a painting contractor. The employee died from blunt force trauma to the head.

Incident on Oct 31, 2021: Employee suffers fracture in fall

At 8:45 p.m. on October 31, 2021, Employee # 1 was working at a restaurant as an assistant manager, overseeing the operations of the restaurant from the floor to the kitchen area. An opening conference was held on November 10, 2021. Employee # 1 was helping in the kitchen area to get orders out for customers. He was in the dishwashing area to get plates for the serving station, to serve the food. Employee # 1 picked up some plates. As he walked back to the serving station, he turned and slipped, tossing the plates in his hand. Employee # 1 could not get up. Paramedics were called and he was transported to a local hospital. Employee # 1 sustained a fracture, which required surgery and hospitalization.