The victim had worked for this company for 20 years as an electrician and voluntarily transferred to the loading dock two months prior to the accident. All employees are trained as forklift drivers and loading dock workers because of rotating work schedules which require everyone to work in these areas. The victim was very familiar with the equipment and procedures on the loading dock. Ten employees routinely work at one time on the loading dock on a continuous basis. Written safety rules and procedures are in place at this company and they have an active safety program.
Training is conducted in classrooms and in the plant for all employees.
Mandatory refresher courses are offered every two years. This was the first work related fatality in the company's history. Each truck is positioned on the concrete floor of the warehouse and forklifts are used for loading the drywall. Four trucks can be loaded at one time in this warehouse space. All surfaces are flat and dry and the area is well lit with interior lights.