Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of being pulled into and crushed by the rotating parts of a pipe threader: (a) Basement, employees were operating a Ridgid brand pipe threading machine Model 300 No. SPM-4 which was not controlled by a momentary contact device de-engerizing the pipe threading machine upon release in the event that its operator was inadvertently cought up in its rotating parts. Among other methods, one feasible method to reduce this hazard is to establish and enforce adequate safe operating procedures. Procedures such as those stipulated in ANSI B208.1-1982 Portable Pipe Threading Machines. Elements essential to an acceptable safe operating procedure include at a minimum: 1) Installation of a momentary contact device (Deadman Foot Switch) to control power input to the machine. This device would automatically stop the machine and the rotating pipe if the operator's foot was removed from the foot switch for any reason. 2) Provide training and education to the machine operators concerning all the appropriate procedures for the safe operation and use of this type of machinery.