OSHA investigation finds food warehouse had a recordable injury rate 4 times higher than the industry average
An OSHA investigation has determined that workers at The Martin-Brower Co. LLC’s Ohio facility suffered severe injuries at nearly four times the average rate for their industry. The food services warehouse made employees perform manual material handling lifting tasks. According to OSHA, these tasks involved repeated hazardous forceful exertions and awkward postures, putting the workers at risk for low back injuries. These required activities caused workers to suffer from ergonomic musculoskeletal disorders at a high rate.
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The company was cited for three serious violations and was issued four hazard alert letters. In addition, The Martin-Brower Co. was cited for repeatedly exposing workers to known ergonomic, fire, and struck by hazards. OSHA proposed a penalty of $41,483.
In a recent quote, OSHA Area Director Ken Montgomery said, “OSHA found Martin-Brower Co. workers at high risk for musculoskeletal disorders because of the high frequency, long duration of hours worked, awkward postures, and weight of materials being lifted. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.”
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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