Safety Violations in the Movies
Interesting article by Compliance and Safety titled “OSHA vs Hollywood”. The blog post analyses movie and T.V shows for OSHA violations with the help of a professional safety consultant. See the full article here
One of the examples:
(2005-) The Office, Episode: “Boys and Girls”, warehouse scene. CLIP ENDS AT 00:24
In this clip, Michael seizes Daryl’s Forklift and makes a huge mess in the warehouse.
Michael was engaging in ‘horseplay’ which is specifically forbidden by 1910.178(n)(9):
Stunt driving and horseplay shall not be permitted.
As Michael had clearly not been trained to use the Forklift, his usage of the equipment violated 1960.10(a) which states:
Each employee shall comply with the standards, rules, regulations and orders issued by his/her agency in accordance with section 19 of the Act, Executive Order 12196, and this part which are applicable to his/her own actions and conduct.
Michael was clearly not competent to operate the forklift safely. Seeing as he is a branch manager and exhibits similar reckless and unsafe behavior on a regular basis, we can assume that management is not making a reasonable attempt to ensure that forklift operators are competent and trained which violates 1910.178(l)(1)(i):
The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l).
Michael was able to seize the Forklift while it was running with the forks elevated. This indicates that the forklift was left unattended which violates 1910.178(m)(5)(i) through (m)(5)(iii) (paraphrased):
When a forklift is left unattended, load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls shall be neutralized, power shall be shut off, and brakes set. If the forklift is only dismounted (operator within 25’ and within line-of-sight) the truck need-not be shut-off.
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