Tuesday, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an $850,000 fine against Absolutaris Logistics Ltd following an equipment accident at its main distribution warehouse in Illinois that injured five workers. The investigation revealed the company’s long-term neglect of warehouse safety inspections and a delayed report of the incident.
According to the regulatory report, the accident was caused by a brake failure in a forklift. Workers had repeatedly flagged On equipment issues months earlier, but management deferred repairs, citing “budget constraints”. Ultimately, the forklift lost control during operation, crashing into shelving and causing multiple tiers of goods to collapse. “It all happened so fast. My colleagues didn’t have a chance to get out of the way”, an on-site worker recounted. The incident left 5 employees injured and 2 in serious condition.
Compounding the issue, the company failed to report the accident to regulators within the legally required 24 hours, instead delaying for 9 days. Internal emails revealed that senior management was concerned that “publicity could erode client trust” and instructed warehouse staff to “handle it internally”.
OSHA’s investigation identified 17 serious violations, including neglected equipment maintenance, blocked emergency exits, and a lack of emergency training. The agency issued the following rulings:
- An $850,000 fine against the company
- A requirement to complete warehouse improvements within 60 days and hire a third-party safety consultant
- Payment of medical expenses and lost wages for injured workers
- Establishment of regular maintenance and safety drill protocols across all warehouses
A regulatory official stated, “This was an entirely preventable accident. The company’s negligence directly endangered its employees’ safety.”
In a subsequent statement, Absolutaris Logistics Ltd expressed deep regret for the incident and pledged to immediately replace all outdated equipment and implement new safety inspection processes. The company has also contracted an independent safety audit firm to conduct a system-wide assessment within the next three months. “We must create a safe working environment for our employees. This is non-negotiable”, the company wrote.
Despite these commitments, union representatives remain skeptical: “They’ve made similar promises before, but follow-through has been minimal.” For a company aiming to expand its retail and logistics footprint, this incident not only brings a hefty fine but also casts a shadow over its “efficiency-first” brand image.
