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 employmnent 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 threading machine: a) On or about 6/13/97, on construction site at 6727 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY: Employees operated a Rigid model 300-T2, serial #7621988, portable pipe threading machine. The machine was activated by a 3-way sliding switch that would not automatically shut off if the operator was inadvertently caught up in its' rotating parts. ABATEMENT NOTES: 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 American National Standard for Portable Pipe Threading Machines (ANSI B208.1-1982). 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 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.