Despite receiving multiple warnings and citations over the past decade, M&H Crates Inc., a Jacksonville-based pallet manufacturer, continues to neglect employee safety, putting workers at risk of severe injuries, including amputations. A recent inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in February 2024 revealed ongoing violations similar to those found in previous years.
OSHA inspectors discovered that M&H Crates Inc. had not addressed critical safety concerns identified during inspections in 2012, 2014, 2020, and 2022. The company now faces $254,527 in proposed penalties for these persistent infractions.
In February 2022, OSHA cited M&H Crates for one willful violation and twelve serious violations. These included unsafe machine operations, forklift drivers not using required seatbelts, fall hazards, and a lack of training for workers on lockout/tagout procedures. These procedures are vital to prevent accidental machine starts or movements that could result in serious injuries.
“M&H Crates Inc. continues to ignore its legal responsibility to comply with federal workplace safety standards,” explained Greg Wynn, OSHA Area Director in Dallas. “We will use all measures available to us to hold this company accountable for its continued willingness to expose employees to the serious dangers that exist in manufacturing workplaces.”
Lockout/tagout violations are among OSHA’s most frequently cited infractions in the manufacturing industry. These safety measures are essential to protect workers from severe injuries, including amputations, by ensuring that machinery is properly shut down and cannot be restarted unexpectedly.
Established in 1968, M&H Crates is an employee-owned pallet manufacturer and supplier. Despite its long history and employee ownership, the company’s repeated safety violations suggest a troubling disregard for worker well-being. This ongoing negligence raises questions about the effectiveness of previous penalties and the company’s commitment to improving its safety practices.
M&H Crates Inc. now has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The persistence of these safety violations highlights a systemic issue within the company. Immediate and substantial actions are necessary to rectify these hazards and ensure a safe working environment. Worker safety should be the top priority in any manufacturing setting, and failing to adhere to safety standards endangers lives and tarnishes the company’s reputation.
The Department of Labor’s findings at M&H Crates Inc. serve as a stark reminder of the importance of workplace safety regulations. Employers must prioritize the well-being of their employees, ensuring that safety protocols are rigorously followed and that all workers are adequately trained. The consequences of neglecting these responsibilities can be severe, not only in terms of financial penalties but, more importantly, in the potential loss of human life and limb.
