I can see that there may have been a health and safety issue involved but according to reports and videos of the incident the first fan was at the very back of the stand and was hindering or obstructing no one. (kopleft.com)
Rollers on the back of the stand make it easy to move from one work station to the next. (ftiinc.org)
The UHMW cutting board removes and stores at the back of the stand for easy washdown. (ftiinc.org)