Illinois Shipping Firm Cited, Fined $156K after Worker Suffers Severe Injuries

An Illinois-based container shipping company faces proposed penalties of $156,038 after an employee suffered a leg amputation and crushed pelvis when he fell off and was then run over by a powered heavy-lift vehicle used to move and stack steel containers at the firm’s Chicago facility.

The 30-year-old recent hire suffered the injuries after being allowed to ride unsecured on the vehicle.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited ITS Technologies and Logistics LLC – operating as ITS Conglobal – for one willful violation and two serious violations, and proposed penalties totaling $156,038.

OSHA investigators found the intermodal cargo container shipping facility allowed employees to ride unsecured on the reach stacker, in violation of company and OSHA safety procedures. Additionally, ITS Conglobal failed to provide employees refresher training or evaluate them every three years on their ability to safely operate powered industrial vehicles, as required.

Based in Darien, Illinois, ITS ConGlobal is an intermodal infrastructure services provider for global and rail shipping. The company has about 4,000 employees in more than 120 facilities throughout the U.S., Mexico and Central America and provides shipping services with North American railroads, global container shipping and leasing companies, and chassis operators.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

This article was first published in Insurance Journal.

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