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

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 crushed-by hazards. The employer is failing to protect employees from crushing and/or struck-by hazards. This was most recently documented on September 9, 2017 at the Ag-Power facility located at 39706 Business Hwy 10 in Richmond, MO. A manually operated, hydraulic, Viking Shop Crane was used to lift and suspend a John Deere Z970R commercial lawn mower during a diagnosis/repair of a right transaxle oil leak. A Service Technician worked beneath the suspended load without the shop crane base fully extended to stabilize the suspended load. This condition contributed to an unstable load and allowed the Viking shop crane to tip forward thereby dropping the load onto the service technician. The service technician suffered fatal injuries as a result of this condition. One feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard would include: Follow the safety recommendations set forth in the ASME PASE-2014, SAFETY STANDARD FOR PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EQUIPMENT consensus standard. Additionally, Follow the safety recommendations set forth by the John Deere Operators manual. Feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard include the following: 1.) Establish correct lifting methods for safe operation of Shop cranes. 2.) Have a qualified person by reason of training, education and experience who is knowledgeable in the operation to be performed and is competent to judge the hazards involved oversee the lifting operations. 3.) Have all service technicians become familiar with, and follow all safety procedures. 4.) Additionally, develop instructional language and requirements for all lifting procedures.