Houston-based wood pallet provider IFCO Systems North America Inc. received fines from a 2012 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) evaluation of its San Antonio, Texas, facility. The agency issued $163,900 in penalties against the company for 10 serious, three repeat and six other-than serious penalties stemming from deficiencies in IFCO's safety efficiency in the workplace.

The OSHA completed the inspection as part of its Site-Specific Targeting initiative, a plan designed to keep workers safe and motivate companies to create employee injury prevention programs. IFCO Systems received penalties in February 2010 and June 2010 respectively amounting to $17,500 and $4,620. In addition, the company received $67,765 in fines from the agency in March 2011.

OSHA area director Jeff Funke noted the company received serious and repeat violations in 2012 because the employer has not taken responsibility for managing employee safety in the workplace. The company's work sites feature higher-than-average injury and illness rates, increasing the necessity for occupational safety programs. 

The most-recent violations included failing to offer employees sufficient ear protection, ignoring machine guarding near dangerous equipment and improperly tracking injuries and illnesses in violation of OSHA guidelines. Company officials may consider workplace injury prevention online training to reduce workplace safety risks.