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 being crushed between moving equipment. On 7/24/94 a guideman was required to direct the planemate operator away from gate l6, visual contact was lost during this operation, subsequently exposing the guideman to possible injury. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to follow guidelines set forth in your Operators Guide to Loading Bridge/ Plane mate and CrewBus, Section K, Operation of Vehicles in Reverse/Guideman, page 18 which states that"...Use a guideman, and keep him in view. Be sure that he can see the back of your vehicleand the area in which you are backing. Give specific instructions to the guideman to make certain he knows what to do." The recommendations listed should also be followed to ensure a safe workplace: 1)Employees should have periodic and refresher training on all safety procedures to be followed during the back up and turning operations of the planemates. 2)Employer should evaluate these procedures periodically and include any changes necessary. 3)Employer should establish a danger zone for the guidemen and keep guidemen out of the danger zone. 4)Guidemen and planemate operators must keep ongoing communication activated at all times.