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

Title 40.1-51.1.(A) Code of Virginia: 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: On September 7, 1998 employees of Frank T. Williams' Farm were exposed to an approx. 44 foot fall from the roof of an approx. 47 foot tall grain tank while working from the unprotected roof to inspect the quality of the grain stored inside. The employer provided safety harnesses and lanyards to employees, but did not require their use by employees who were inspecting the quality of the grain in the storage tanks. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to provide and require usage of a safety harness and lanyard, when employees are working from tank roofs - similar to the requirements in the VOSH Standard for Construction 1926.501(b)(1) - Fall protection for unprotected sides and edges - which states that each employee on a walking/working surface with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.