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 the hazard of being struck by a falling or rolling vehicle: (a) On or about August 2, 1996, employees were exposed to the hazard of being crushed while working underneath a bus with the bus wheels not being choked and the emergency/parking brake not being set. (b) On or about August 2, 1996, employees were exposed to the hazard of being crushed underneath a bus when working underneath installing and removing ball jacks. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is: 1) Choke bus wheels once brought into the garage; 2) Apply parking brake during maintenance operations, and 3) Perform jacking from the outside, not underneath the bus. The gravity based penalty for the above alleged violation was $7,000.00. The proposed penalty reflects consideration, where appropriate, for the employer's good faith, size of business and history of previous violations.