Freight handling company W8 Shipping faces fines of more than USD379,000 for forklift-related safety violations, the United States Department of Labour said in a statement.

The safety infractions happened at W8 Shipping’s Port of Savannah warehouse, with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finding the shipping company willfully exposed workers to the risk of being struck or crushed by falling vehicles elevated by forklifts during loading and unloading.

The OSHA cited the company for 22 serious violations, one willful violation, one other-than-serious violation and proposed penalties of $379,709.

OSHA acting area director in Savannah Heather Sanders in Savannah says: “For decades, established safety standards have been in place to protect workers from dangers that W8 Shipping’s employees face and yet the company chose to ignore federal regulations.”

 “When it comes to workplace safety, shortcuts are the quickest route to serious injuries or worse,” Sanders says.

The OSHA said the company failed to provide eye protection to workers changing liquid propane tanks and using nail guns, and allowed flammable wood dust to build up on electrical outlets and equipment, floors and other machinery.

In addition, inspectors found W8 Shipping permitted employees to drive forklifts with obstructed views and without instruction, training or regular evaluations, and sometimes with unstable loads, and allowed employees to work on the trailers at heights over 6 ft. (1.8 m) without fall protection.