US Federal regulators are kicking off a 15-month series of unannounced compliance-enforcement inspections of forklift operations in four South East states.

"The more people we put on notice, the more parties in this region and in other parts of the country will be aware" of the need to comply with provisions of the powered industrial truck standard, says Benjamin Ross, assistant administrator for enforcement at the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offices in Atlanta.

OSHA says forklift accidents in the region caused 37 deaths over five years.

On 16 June, the agency disclosed plans for the inspection program starting on 29 June.

Region 4 covers the states of Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi and has a growing network of distribution centres, including those near the major Atlantic Ocean seaports of Jacksonville, Florida and Savannah, Georgia.

Meanwhile, OSHA cited manufacturer Spears Mattress Co in Rome, Georgia for 14 serious safety violations and proposed penalties of USD45,850.

OSHA says Spears allowed an employee to operate a forklift with nonfunctioning emergency brakes.

Other violations relate to improper storage of oxygen and acetylene compressed gas cylinders, fire extinguishers not mounted or identified, a malfunctioning emergency exit sign, walking and storage areas cluttered with flammables and heavy equipment, missing machine guards on equipment, a drill press unsecured to prevent movement during operation and improperly adjusted bench grinders.

"Inspectors found violations that could easily result in a serious employee injury or death," says Andre Richards, director of OSHA's Atlanta-West area office. "OSHA will not allow employers to risk the safety of workers by exposing them to hazardous conditions in the workplace."

Spears is a licensee for Englander-brand mattresses.

OSHA is an agency of the US Department of Labor.