OSHA has cited Quality Steel Corp. in Cleveland, MS for 19 safety violations following the October 2010 death of a worker who was ejected and crushed after the forklift he was operating overturned.

"Operating a powered industrial truck can quickly turn deadly when a load shifts unexpectedly," said Clyde Payne, OSHA's area director in Jackson. "Employers must ensure operators are utilizing seat belts to protect them from harm that can result in tragedies such as this one."

OSHA cited the company with one serious safety violation related to the fatality for failing to ensure the forklift operator was wearing a seat belt. Thirteen additional serious safety violations were cited, including failing to have an adequate lockout/tagout program and procedures regarding energy sources; not conducting required frequent and periodic inspections on lifting equipment; having a lack of machine guarding on rotating shaft and inclined belts; not ensuring electrical equipment was properly installed; allowing forklift modifications to be made that are not approved by the manufacturer; and not correctly identifying electrical branch circuits.

Five other-than-serious safety violations were cited for stairs lacking standard rails, allowing welders to not wear a shade filter lens, not capping compressed gas cylinders, blocking access to a disconnect switch and outlets, and damaged electrical cords. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

Proposed penalties for the citations total $46,935.