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Menards Fined $25,000 For James Stanback's Death In Forklift Accident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Menards store in Golden Valley has been fined $25,000 following the death of a 19-year-old worker in a forklift accident last summer, according to OSHA records.

James Stanback was killed late July last year when he was pinned under a forklift. A pallet of lumber fell on the forklift he was operating, officials reported.

A representative for Menards told WCCO at the time of the incident that Stanback was certified to operate a forklift, but his family reported otherwise, alleging that he was not trained. One family member posted a video online saying he just started working there.

The Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a citation against the Menards store on Jan. 5, for violating rules on secure storage: "Storage of material shall not create a hazard. Bags, containers, bundles, etc., stored in tiers shall be stacked, blocked, interlocked and limited in height so that they are stable and secure against sliding or collapse."

Menards contested the citation Jan. 20; the case remains open.

There had not been any OSHA inspections at the Golden Valley Menards in the five years leading up to the incident.

The store released a statement on the tragedy, saying in part: "We are a small family here at Golden Valley and we are all in shock. Our thoughts and prayers are with our Teammate and his family."

In 2017, OSHA cited a Menards in Burnsville $25,000 after a workplace fatality. A forklift operator had been moving wooden pallets, and turned the forklift, which tipped it over, killing the employee.

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