Florida Grocery Store Faces Hefty Penalties After Fatal Employee Fall — Occupational Health & Safety

Florida Grocery Store Faces Hefty Penalties After Fatal Employee Fall

Kissimmee Meat & Produce Inc. faces $95,315 in proposed penalties.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Oct 31, 2023

OSHA has cited Kissimmee Meat & Produce Inc. for safety violations following the tragic death of a 65-year-old worker. In May 2023, the clerk fell approximately 9 feet from a faulty ladder while retrieving merchandise from the store’s warehouse. OSHA’s investigation revealed the incident could have been prevented if the store had followed mandated safety guidelines.

The inspection identified 11 serious violations, many involving fall hazards. These include allowing workers to use modified or damaged ladders, using rolling ladders without locking systems, failing to provide ladder training and lacking fall protection measures. Other violations include a failure to clear emergency exits, keep main breaker panels clear, mark fire extinguishers properly, stack boxes safely and provide powered industrial vehicle training.

OSHA has proposed a total of $95,315 in penalties.

“Employers are required to make sure that the equipment workers use is serviceable and safe,” OSHA Area Director Danelle Jindra in Tampa, Florida, said in a statement. “Kissimmee Meat & Produce failed to meet their responsibility and it cost someone their life.”

Kissimmee Meat & Produce Inc. now has 15 business days upon receiving the citations to either comply, request a conference with OSHA, or challenge the agency’s conclusion.