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: Employees were exposed to crushing injuries while working around and under hydraulic hoists, located in the service bays, when activities such as retrieving tools, tires, lugnuts, hubcaps and replacing tires are performed, while the hoists are in the partially raised position and thereby not protected from unexpected movement. The current locking device is only operable while the hoist is in the full raised position. No positive means of blocking or locking the hoist from unexpected movement was provided when performing work near or under the lifts while they were in the partially raised position. Among other methods, three feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazard are: 1. Establish procedures and enforce utilization of portable jack stands or other positive support mechanism under the lift's frame which meets the strength factor of not less than the rated load capacity of the lifts. 2. Install automotive lifts equipped with automatic locking devices which work at varying positions of extension. 3. Install an adjustable locking mechanism to the existing lifts in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.