Coca-Cola Fined $61K for EHS Violations

OSHA has cited and fined a Coca-Cola Refreshments distribution warehouse for “repeat and serious” safety violations. The proposed penalty for the violations is $61,600.

OSHA issued the citation on Dec. 11 for four repeat and two serious safety and health violations at the Monmouth Junction, New Jersey warehouse.

Inspectors cited repeat violations for hazards associated with obstructed exit routes, lack of illuminated emergency exit signs, unmarked exits, and improper storage of compressed gas cylinders. The serious violations were related to unguarded floor holes and lack of refresher training related to forklifts.

“Blocked exit routes and unmarked exits pose a serious danger to Coca-Cola’s warehouse employees, as they prevent quick escape in case of an emergency,” says Patricia Jones, director of OSHA’s Avenel Office. “Employers have a legal obligation to ensure workers have a safe and healthy workplace, and will be held accountable when they fail to do so.”

Verdantix has forecast “robust” environment, health and safety spending increases in 2016.

The global survey of 312 EHS executives found that 10 percent of firms will increase spending in 2016 by double digits and 21 percent will spend between 5 percent and 9 percent more next year. Three quarters of respondents expect budgets to increase in 2016, which is an increase from 62 percent who increased spend in 2015.