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

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 harm to employees in that employees were exposed to hazards relating to maintenance and procedures for safe operating conditions on mobile refuse compaction collector vehicle: a) Sutton's Refuse Disposal Service, Inc.; employer did not implement a service maintenance schedule and checklist for daily and weekly inspections for safety on Rear Loading Refuse truck, to assure equipment is maintained in safe operating conditions at all times. b) Sutton's Refuse Disposal Service,Inc., Loadmaster Rear Loading Refuse truck; where collector riding positions were not maintained in safe operating conditions. 1. Riding step on the right side of compactor was made from heavy duty sheet metal, that was not designed to be self cleaning and slip resistant, to prevent slip, trip and fall hazards. 2. Riding step on the left side of compactor was not level and secure, to prevent collector from falling off truck in riding position. 3. Hand hold grab bar used for riding on right side of compactor was completely sheared off, making the side step hazardous to falling off the truck. c) Sutton's Refuse Disposal Service, Inc., Loadmaster Rear Loading Refuse truck; driver did not make sure that riders were visible and directing the truck at all times when backing the truck up. While ultimate responsibility for correcting the hazard rests with the employer, given his/her superior knowledge of the work place, feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard, among others, are: (1)Follow guidelines in Loadmaster Corporation's Operator Manual for Rear Loading Refuse Packer Bodies. i) Section "PERIODIC MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE" implement a daily, weekly, monthly, and semi-annual inspection report. ii) Section "OPERATOR SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS" , Operator Riding Safety - before backing up, the driver must make certain that all riders have dismounted and that at least one of them is visible to direct him.iii) Section "MISCELLANEOUS SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS" - the owner is responsible for the repair and maintenance of the packer. Any condition that threatens the safe operation of the packer should be corrected before the packer is placed into service again. (2)Follow guidelines listed in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z245.1, for Refuse Collection and Compaction Equipment. i) Section 5.2 "MAINTENANCE" - Establish and follow a program of periodic and regular inspections on mobile and stationary compaction equipment to ensure the proper caring for, cleaning, inspecting and maintaining of all parts are in safe operating condition in accordance with the manufacture's recommended procedures. ii) Section 6.1 "OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS" - Maintain equipment to meet manufacture's recommended instructions and all applicable state and federal safety standards. iii) Section 7.3 "REAR LOADING COMPACTION EQUIPMENT" - riding steps shall have a slip resistant surface, and shall be self cleaning or protected against the accumulation of mud, snow, and ice, and designed to carry a load of not less then 1000 pounds. Grab handles shall also be provided in conjunction with riding steps and be capable of withstanding a pull of at least 500 pounds. (3)Follow guidelines listed in National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) publication # 82-113, for Residential Waste Collection, " Hazard Recognition & Prevention". i) Section - "MINIMIZING THE HAZARDS OF WASTE COLLECTION" - Equipment Maintenance - if the equipment isn't in safe operating condition, it shouldn't not leave the garage; if it leaves the garage in good shape but develops problems on the route, the vehicle is put out of service until the problem is solved. To minimize the hazards caused by vehicle / equipment failure or damage, a preventive maintenance schedule is recommended, with records of inspections kept. ii) Section - "Specific On The Job Hazards" - Safety Checks - a truck safety checklist for inspections should be implemented, for daily examination, relating to all the operating systems relating to safe traveling with the truck. iii) Section - "MINIMIZING THE HAZARDS OF WASTE COLLECTION" - Riding position - riding steps and handhold's have to be designed and placed properly, to minimize the hazards of the riding positions limited usage. iv) Section - "Specific On The Job Hazards" - Riding steps - must be self cleaning and not used if the steps are bent, loose, or broken, until they are fixed (secure, level, and slip-resistant). v) Section - "Specific On The Job Hazards" - Backing A Rear Loader - as a general rule the collector must remain visible in the driver's mirrors at all times. When the collector can't be seen in a mirror, or disappears from view, backing should stop immediately.