?Danger? on a NASCAR racetrack immediately conjures images of violent crashes and driver injuries. But the thrilling sport has proven to be just as risky for the crew, technicians, and bleacher audience on the racetrack, meriting investigation from the Department of Labor?s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The governing body cannot afford another mishap after a highly publicized fatality before the Chicago Street Race earlier this year. This is why the racing fandom instantly flagged a tongue-in-cheek post by NASCAR driver Mason Maggio for possible safety violations.
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NASCAR has long been wary of the OSHA. After the turn of the 21st century, there was increased awareness about the health and safety of the country?s labor force. In the past decade, the racing body has often come under OSHA?s microscopic lens for violating its standards. Be it the 2004 penalties for the death of a track worker in Daytona or the investigation of the audio specialist?s demise in the Chicago Street Race. In these circumstances, a harmless post on social media can also become a cause for concern in the safety-literate modern American society.?
Up-and-coming Truck and Xfinity driver Mason Maggio faced the brunt of that ire when he shared a behind-the-scenes visual of his racing team?s garage. Maggio, who received his big break from Reaume Brothers Racing last year, drove another part-time schedule for them this season. While ?helping the team at the shop? during the off-season, their #34 Ford driver came up with an innovative but highly risky idea. Maggio revealed he thought ?outside the box? while posting a picture of a worker in a forklift acting as a makeshift construction crane.
Using a forklift can be hazardous if all safety precautions are not maintained. According to the Forklift Safety Guide released by OSHA in 2021, there are roughly 35,000 serious and 62,000 non-serious forklift-related injuries annually in the U.S. Furthermore, page 20 of the guidebook explicitly states, ?Never allow anyone to be lifted while standing on the forks or on a pallet lifted by the forks!??
Had to think outside the box today while helping the team at the shop pic.twitter.com/FdKv0to3RL
— Mason Maggio (@MasonMaggio1) November 16, 2023
Such an activity could only be undertaken with the aid of a structure specifically designated for the purpose. While no such clarification has been provided in Maggio?s post, the inadvertent promotion of that risky endeavor did not sit well with the racing community, either.
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Mason Maggio might attract unwanted OSHA attention toward NASCAR
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Although the worker(s) are not clearly visible, one can only hope they were equipped with the necessary safety gear. Especially if the platform did not meet the safety standards or was not approved by the manufacturer for lifting laborers. Concerned fans soon filled Mason Maggio’s comment section, warning the young driver against OSHA violations.
?This is not OSHA approved, but it is Oh Sh*t Certified!?,?remarked an afraid viewer of the tweet.
Other commenters did not think it was wise of Maggio to upload the contentious post with his racing team?s name, with one saying, ?I would not recommend having team names tied to this post?.?
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A few of them commended Maggio?s ingenuity, ?That?s some big brain stuff Magoo? but most of them were aware of the likelihood of future OSHA intervention, ?OSHA wants to know your location?. Perhaps the 19-year-old star has a lot to learn about responsible social media conduct.