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

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 an entanglement hazard while working at two remote work station on conveyors which were stopped and started from a remote location throughout the day: a) Pre-Sort Area and Area at the Start of Recycling Conveyor: On or about 04-24-96, employees at each location were performing waist-high sorting work from a conveyor which was started and stopped by another employee at controls within the fully enclosed BSM 5 Booth. As the controls are located within a fully enclosed booth, the employees performing sorting cannot see the controls operator, nor he them, when the equipment is stopped and started throughout the shift. B) Conveyor Adjacent to the Presort Area: On or about 04/23/96, a maintenance employee was working up on top of the conveyor when, without any warning, the conveyor was turned on at the main controls in the BSM 5 Booth, and the employee was caught in the conveyor. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to provide an audible device which can be clearly heard at all points along the conveyor where personnel may be present. This warning device shall be actuated by the controller devices starting the conveyor and shall continue for a required period of time before the conveyor starts. A flashing light or similar visual warning may be used in conjunction with or in place of the audible device if more effective. These devices shall be installed in compliance with American National Standards B20.1 section 5.11.2.2.