Inspection Detail

Inspection: 112207535 - Ralphs Grocery Storee

Inspection Information - Office: Monrovia District Office

Investigation Summary

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on April 1, 1991, Employee #1, the assistant manager, was working at the receiving area using a forklift truck to pick up the merchandise from the floor and store it on metal storage racks. He had just finished a load and was about to pick up the next one when he noticed that the pallet was not aligned with the forklift truck. He reversed and applied the brake, but the forklift did not stop. The vehicle continued to reverse under the pallet storage rack, and Employee #1's lower body was crushed between the storage rack and the forklift truck. He suffered major injuries to his left hip, numbness and trauma to his right leg, nerve damage to both lower legs and pelvis, and lumbar and sacral injuries. He was hospitalized for 9 days. Subsequent Investigation revealed that Employee #1 had complained about the forklift a week before the accident.

Keywords: IND TRK OPERATOR, BRAKE, CAUGHT BETWEEN, CRUSHED, INDUSTRIAL TRUCK, PELVIS, STORAGE RACK, MECH MALFUNCTION, BACKING UP, LEG