OSHA Fines Anheuser-Busch Warehouse $162,000

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently fined American beer maker Anheuser-Busch $162,000 for safety violations identified at its Jersey City, New Jersey distribution center.

According to the New Jersey news website NJ.com, OSHA investigators found safety violations which exposed both permanent and temporary workers at the Anheuser-Busch to dangers back in June. The majority of these safety violations involves improper training and use of powered trucks. As a result, OSHA issued a fine totaling of $162,000 to the well-known beer maker.

The report suggests that Anheuser-Busch allowed untrained workers to operate powered trucks -- a severe violation that places both the safety of the operator, as well as other employees on site at risk for injury. Additionally, faulty powered trucks were not removed from service, but instead they were left on site. These two safety violations alone carry fines in excess of $100,000.

But the problems for Anheuser-Busch don't end there. According to OSHA's report, the beer maker had obstructed fire exit routes and damaged storage racks in its Jersey City, New Jersey facility. OSHA places an emphasis on maintaining clear, obstruction-free fire exit routes, and for good reason: each year, hundreds of workers lose their lives as a result of fires. Fire exit routes serve as a lifeline when a fire breaks out, as employees can quickly escape the burning building. Unfortunately, however, blocked and/or obstructed fire exit routes can have the opposite effect by trapping employees inside and preventing them from escaping.

"These employees faced the risk of serious injuries due to Anheuser-Busch's failure to provide appropriate training, properly working equipment, and safe exit routes, which is unacceptable," Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office, said in a press release announcing the penalties. "This company is fully aware of the safety hazards in its Jersey City facility and should immediately take corrective action."

Anheuser-Busch must now decide whether it wants to pay or appeal the fine. There's been no comment yet regarding its decision.

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