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

Section 27-a(3)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish to each of its employees, employment, and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to its employees and which will provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, safety, or health of its employees: (a)Sanitation Department, Pac-Mor Garbage Packer Truck, Model R200B, Vehicle # 107, Serial Number RHC230B4691065, employer had modified and/or replaced both rear, side riding steps, without the manufacturer's permission, which was required by the manufacturer's operating manual, replacing the ANSI Z245.1-1984 designed and manufactured sel-cleaning, slip-resistant grating material, with smooth steel plates which do not provide a self-cleaning, slip-resistant surface, falling hazard. A feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, would be for the employer to provide guidance in the form of "procedures" which would require the employee(s) repairing and maintaining equipment to contact the manufacturer to insure materials and methods meet the ANSI standards and manufacturers original construction specifications. (b)Sanitation Department, employees who operate and work around refuse collection equipment, and employer had not conducted required training and education, as required by ANSI Z245.1-1984, ANSI Z245.1-1992, and the amnufacturer's operating manuals, nor has employer maintained records of training by name and date, as required by ANSI Z245.1-1992 and manufacturer's 1997 equipment operating manual, crushing and/or fall hazards, A feasible abatement method, among others, would be for the employer to provide a training and education program for employees prior to assignment to working with this type of equipment, and to routinely re-enforce the training by "tail gate" training sessions, so that employees are familiar with the safety hazards and safe work practices around equipment. (c)Sanitation Department, employees who operate and work around collection equipment, and employer had not provided a safety and health program to ensure employees are operating the equipment properly, as required by ANSI Z245.1-1984, ANSI Z245.1-1992, and the manufacturer's operating manuals, crushing and/or fall hazards. A feasible abatement method, among others, would be for the employer to provide procedures for insuring that employees are practicing the safe work practices and monitoring the use of the equipment by employees.