Weber Distribution LLC: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Apr 12, 2006: Employee fractures ankles and back in fall from raised forks

At approximately 6:30 p.m. on April 12, 2006, Employee #1 was working for Weber Distribution, which has operated a warehouse for food and beauty products for ab out 20 years in La Mirada, California. Employee #1 had been there for four month s as a full-time employee. Employee #1 was standing on a pallet on the forks of a Raymond cherry picker in aisle number BP202 A; the forks had been elevated 117 inches. Employee #1 was retrieving some boxes from a storage rack, when the pal let he was on was hit by a forklift driven by another operator, causing Employee #1 to fall to the floor of the warehouse. He sustained multiple fractures to hi s ankles and lower back. He was taken to La Palma Community Hospital for medical treatment. He was hospitalized there for two nights before he was transferred t o USC Medical Center for further treatment. A management official said that Empl oyee #1 was wearing his harness while in the elevated position on the cherry pic ker, but he did not hook his harness to the retracting fall prevention device on the cherry picker platform, as required. The forklift driver who hit the cherry picker also gave the same statement. Employee #1, though, stated during a later interview that he was properly hooked to the fall device, but that the harness failed and he fell. An inspection of the harness, D-rings, and the attachment ho oks on the cherry picker platform revealed no indications of any malfunction(s). The employer was cited for a violation of forklift operating rules, 1. T8CCR 36 50 (s)(12): General (High) - Penalty $1,800.

Incident on Sep 20, 2005: Employee fractures leg when pinned between forklift and rack

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on September 20, 2005, Employee #1 was operating a f orklift when his left leg became wedged between the forklift's frame and a metal storage rack. He sustained fractures to his left leg and was transported to a m edical center. At the medical center, he underwent surgical procedures for the l eg fractures in the accident. Following the surgical procedures, he was hospital ized for postoperative care and treatment that lasted for approximately 3 days.

Incident on Jun 17, 2004: Employee crushes foot in warehouse

At about 5:26 a.m. on June 17, 2004, Employee #1 was working full time for Team One, his primary employer, which supplied temporary labor. That day, he was at t he Weber Distribution Center, his secondary employer, a warehouse for the storag e and distribution of miscellaneous commodities in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Employe e #1 was operating electric pallet jack number 11 when the emergency brake syste m of the pallet jack failed. Employee #1's right foot was crushed between the ra iling and the platform of the pallet jack. No one from Weber Distribution Center called for emergency medical service. Employee #1 had a family member pick him up and take him home. Later, Employee #1 called 911 and was transported to River side Community Hospital. He underwent surgery and was held for treatment that re quired 7 days of hospitalization.

Incident on Nov 1, 1998: Employee crushes left hand

On November 1, 1998, Employee #1, a stock handler, crushed her left hand (detail s were not provided) and was hospitalized.

Incident on Nov 8, 1994: Employee's toes amputated when foot run over by forklift

At 9:07 a.m. on November 8, 1994, Employee #1, of Weber Distribution Warehouses, Chino, CA was riding on the empty pallet of a #555 Caterpillar standup reach tr uck. He stepped off the forklift and the outriggers of the forklift ran over his left foot, amputating the two middle toes.