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 crushed by a moving vehicle: (a) Location: Corner of Hale Court and Salem Steet, Groveland, MA; On or about 11/12/96, an employee was fatally injured when he was crushed between a telephone pole and a trash truck while riding on the rear step of the truck travelling in reverse. Among other methods, feasible abatement methods include: 1. Develop and implement a company policy prohibiting employees from riding on the rear steps when the vehicle is backing up, when the vehicle is exceeding 10 mph or operating in the reverse, or when the distance travelled exceeds 2/10 mile. 2. Train employees in the company's policies on the riding of the rear steps of trash trucks. 3. Implement a program for monitoring employee's operation of equipment and adherence to safe practices.