Sears settles forklift case with OSHA

News Story
- 20 Jul 2006 ( #269 ) - WASHINGTON, DC, United States
1 min read
by US correspondent Roger Renstrom
A federal regulatory settlement with one of the US's largest retailers sends a message to all operations using powered industrial trucks.

In the settlement, Sears Roebuck & Co agreed to adopt a safety and health program to ensure safe use of forklifts in more than 900 company locations and to pay a penalty of USD70,000. The US Department of Labour's Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) disclosed the settlement late last month.

OSHA investigated an April 19, 2005, accident at a Sears store in Monaca, Pennsylvania, and cited the company on September 29 for exposing employees to fall hazards from forklifts. Washington-based OSHA said employees rode on unsecured platforms without guardrails, on the forks of trucks, and forklift operators were inadequately trained.

The company failed to provide personal fall arrest systems to employees or equip forklifts with overhead guards to protect employees from falling objects.

Edwin G Foulke Jr, OSHA assistant secretary of labour, said: "We are pleased to resolve this matter and avoid the time and expense of litigation."

"This agreement represents a major commitment to ensure safety and provide employees the needed training and protection," Foulke said. "Sears has agreed to implement changes at the Pennsylvania store [and] all locations within federal OSHA jurisdiction." Sears must conduct formal instruction and practical training and, at least once every three years, evaluate each forklift operator's performance.

Bill Montwieler, executive director of the Washington-based Industrial Truck Association, said: "The OSHA announcement [is] of significant interest to those charged with training forklift operators at their companies."

Sears Holding Corp, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA, is the parent of the Sears Roebuck and Kmart broadline retail operations.
Briefs
Briefs 3 Jul 2025 - 1 min read
AITT issues reminder on need for certified training
AITT issues reminder on need for certified training 26 Jun 2025 - Hugglescote, United Kingdom - 1 min read
Do you have materials handling news? Submit your news here

Even the heaviest lifts must be easy to handle. That’s why N.C. Nielsen raises the bar in lifting capacity, maneuverability, operator comfort, flexibility and technical capabilities.
Heavy duty reach stackers – lifting capacity from 85 to 180 tons.
VIEW ALL OUR CUSTOM-BUILT HEAVY DUTY REACH STACKERS

Contact us now: +45 99 83 83 83 - www.nc-nielsen.com

Words of support …

Undoubtedly, peer experience plays a crucially important role in our industry and it is extremely valuable for us to be part of the platform, where industry professionals, as well as end users can discuss and learn more about the materials handling world.

Alexandra Artemova, Marketing Specialist

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

We’re excited to launch a major upgrade to the Forkliftaction forums, packed with new features and improvements. Here’s what’s new:

  • You can now add up to two photos to your posts
  • New search & navigation - find what you need easier
  • Smart brand/model tagging across all forums
  • Top contributors recognised for their efforts!

 Head over to the forums to check it out!

Inside The News
While innovation and new technology are evolving at what seems to be an ever-increasing pace, the need to capture the data (telemetry) from this tech, and the ability to utilise it (telematics) for efficiency and cost savings, is one area attracting more and more attention ... Continue reading

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Inside The News
While innovation and new technology are evolving at what seems to be an ever-increasing pace, the need to capture the data (telemetry) from this tech, and the ability to utilise it (telematics) for efficiency and cost savings, is one area attracting more and more attention ... Continue reading

Are you recruiting? Find your ideal candidate among a diverse range of materials handling professionals:

Forkliftaction's JOB MARKET

Even the heaviest lifts must be easy to handle. That’s why N.C. Nielsen raises the bar in lifting capacity, maneuverability, operator comfort, flexibility and technical capabilities.
Heavy duty reach stackers – lifting capacity from 85 to 180 tons.
VIEW ALL OUR CUSTOM-BUILT HEAVY DUTY REACH STACKERS

Contact us now: +45 99 83 83 83 - www.nc-nielsen.com