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 crushing hazards created by structural collapse of the metal storage rack system: (a) Location - Rogers Street Warehouse: On or about 1/12/00, some metal storage racks, holding cardboard boxes containing frozen fish, had structural damage exposing the employees to the hazard(s) of being struck or crushed by falling boxes. (b) Location - East Main Street Warehouse: On or about 1/14/00, some metal storage racks, holding cardboard boxes containing frozen fish, had structural damage exposing the employees to the hazard(s) of being struck or crushed by falling boxes. (c) Location - Rowe Square Warehouse: On or about 1/14/00, some metal storage racks, holding cardboard boxes containing frozen fish, had structural damage exposing the employees to the hazard(s) of being struck or crushed by falling boxes. (d) Location - Railroad Avenue Warehouse: On or about 1/14/00, some metal storage racks, holding cardboard boxes containing frozen fish, had structural damage exposing the employees to the hazard(s) of being struck or crushed by falling boxes. Among other methods, feasible means of abatement methods include: (1) To repair or replace all damaged metal storage racks as per manufacturer's specifications. (2) To develop a maintenance program designed to recognize weakness in the rack system, in order to prevent a structural collapse. (3) To follow rack manufacturer recommendations regarding proper storage and use. (4) To instruct the employees of the approved rack load capacities, enabling them to verify the maximum amount of material that could be safely stored.