"Forklift Operator Robbed at Gunpoint....."

Workplace violence is a growing concern. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has posted incidents involving a variety of violence that has affected many of our plants in our industry. Here is a recent incident:

Delaware State Police are investigating the armed robbery of a Farmington man that took place Wednesday evening.

According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 11:05 p.m. at August 22, 2018 at an aluminum plant.

Police say the 21-year-old male victim was unloading a forklift when he was approached by a male suspect who was armed with a gun and demanded the victim's wallet.

The victim turned over his wallet and the suspect ran away. The victim was not hurt.

The suspect was described as black, between 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-11, 175-200 pounds, wearing dark colored pants and a hooded sweatshirt.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Troop 4, Major Crimes Unit at 302-856-5850.

We are glad that the aluminium worker was not physically harmed from this incident. Hopefully the aluminium company will provide mental health counseling to the worker if so requested. On our travels around the globe it is not uncommon to visit facilities with open truck gates. These open gates allow for easy access to individuals whom should not be there.

We hope the reader will ask “Can this incident be repeated at our facility?” If the answer is yes, then actions need to be taken. The naysayers may say “Well they could climb over the fence.” Our response is “Let them climb over the fence then”.

The Aluminium Times magazine had an article about this topic. It can be downloaded here.

Please comment.