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

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 the condition(s) listed below: At the job-site located at Hwy 15 East & 143 North, Perryton, TX: Employees operating a Clark Model 35C front-end loader and others working nearby were exposed to unsafe conditions, for the period of time up to and including 06/24/99, as follows: 1) The front-end loader was operated with a broken windshield, that was impairing the operator's vision, and was thereby exposing employees to struck-by hazards. 2) Front-end loader operators were exposed to the hazards of being thrown from the vehicle (should it overturn) and further being struck-by the vehicle as it rolled over due to an unserviceable and unused operator seat belt. 3) Employees working near operating front-end loaders were exposed to struck-by hazards created by a non-operational vehicle equipment horn. 4) Employees working near front-end loaders were exposed to struck-by hazards created by a non-operational vehicle equipment hand brake and the fact that the hand brake was not being set / engaged when vehicle was left unattended / parked. 5) Employees working near front-end loaders were exposed to struck-by hazards created by a large section (approximately 17') of 5/8" diameter chain lying on the floor board of the loader's cab and near the vehicle operator's control pedals. 6) Front-end loader operators were exposed to hand / finger injuries created by the attachment of a steering (spinner) knob to the steering wheel where the vehicle equipment steering mechanism was not of a type that would prevent road reactions from causing the steering handwheel to spin. 7) Employees working near front end loaders (to assist in the movement & stacking of concrete forms) were exposed to struck-by hazards created by unserviceable hooks, clevises, & clevis pins that were attached to the inside of the loader bucket. 8) Employees working near front-end loaders (to assist in the movement & stacking of concrete forms) were exposed to struck-by hazards created by modifications / additions made to the front- end loader, without written approval from the manufacturer, that affected it's capacity / safe operation. Feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct these hazards would be: 1) Replace windshield to improve operator's vision. 2) Repair seat belts provided and assure loader operators wear them. 3) Install / repair loader horn to assist operator in warning nearby employees. 4) Repair hand brake and assure operators are instructed to engage it whenever vehicle is unattended, placed in neutral, parked / put in shut-down mode. 5) Remove chain from floor board of loader operator's cab and instruct operators to maintain cab floor area beneath / around vehicle control pedals free from objects / materials that could hinder the operation of these controls and prevent these objects from becoming flying objects in an abrupt change of motion. 6) Remove steering wheel (spinner) knobs from steering wheel of front end loader to preclude operators from receiving hand / finger injuries. 7) Instruct employees in proper prior to use inspections of chains, hooks, clevises and pins or remove them from the bucket and develop an alternative method of lifting & placing concrete forms. 8) Obtain written approval from front-end loader manufacturer for any modifications / additions to the front-end loader that affect it's capacity or safety.