Harbor Distributing LLC: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Sep 7, 2007 (fatal): Employee is killed in fall from truck

On September 7, 2007, an employee, a delivery truck driver, was checking the pro duct loaded onto his delivery truck against the truck manifest before leaving to make deliveries that day. He started to climb back down out of the truck, facin g the truck, but his foot missed the built-in step and fell approximately 28-in. to the ground, striking his head on the asphalt pavement. He suffered a small a brasion, plus a momentary loss of consciousness and some confusion. He was taken by ambulance to the local medical center. He was admitted and on the following day he succumbed to complications arising from the blow to his head and died.

Incident on Nov 19, 2002: Employee injured in fall from loading dock

On November 19, 2002, Employee #1 was in the loading dock completing a delivery. The loading dock was capable of accommodating two trucks at a time. Two separat e sets of dock bumpers and dock plates were provided. The dock surface was measu red to be four feet higher than the trailer parking surface. The two dock bumper s extended 15 inches outwards and there was a 20-inch gap between the two bumper s. There were two trucks docked, one of which was operated by Employee #1. After completing the delivery, Employee #1 had closed the trailer door and was walkin g near the edge of the dock when he fell into the gap between the two dock bumpe rs. Employee #1 sustained a dislocated right shoulder and fractured humerus. Emp loyee #1 was taken to Western Medical Center where he was hospitalized for his i njuries.

Incident on May 14, 2002: Employee injured in fall from truck

On May 14, 2002, Employee #1 was delivering beer to a local account. Employee # 1 retrieved a beer case from the first section of his General Motors Trailer Num ber 128. This section was located about 52.5 in. from the ground because it was located on top of the first set of trailer wheels. To retrieve the cases stacked at the highest level Employee #1 used a pull-out ladder. The ladder was stored underneath the bed of the trailer and was pulled out and down, exposing a rung t hat was 24-in.-by-4-in. of non-slip surface. That particular rung, when fully ex tended, rested against the rubber portion of the first set of wheels of the trai ler, providing support. As Employee #1 stepped down, his left foot snagged on th e rung, causing him to lose his balance. He stepped back to the ground with his right foot and hit a 2-ft-railing, which divided the road he was on. That caused Employee #1 to fall backward onto the asphalt of the adjacent driveway. Employe e #1 was hospitalized for complications of a fractured rib and a collapsed lung.