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

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: Location:Faymor Gardens Apartment Bldgs. 120, 130 and 140 Pelham Rd., New Rochelle Compactor Rooms On or about January 23, 1998, employees were exposed to the hazard of contacting the moving parts at the point of operation and the discharge end on the three (3) stationary vertical compactors during the operation, cleaning, servicing, maintenance and repair of the equipment. The employer failed to develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOP) on compactors; failed to instruct employees working with the compactors in the safe methods of work; the controls on the compactors were not labeled; an emergency stop button was not provided; a sign was not provided on the compactors' hopper access door warning employees to ensure compactor switch is off prior to opening the door; and a start-up alarm was not provided on compactors to warn employees that equipment will commence operating. AMONG OTHER METHODS ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO IMPLEMENT THE FOLLOWING: a) Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOP) on the safe work practices to be followed by all employees while working on the compactors; b) provide training to all employees working on compactors in the safe methods of work to be followed before assigning them to operate, clean service, maintain, or repair the equipment. Such training shall include procedures provided by the manufacturer. The employer shall also maintain records and the dates of training; and monitor the employees operation to ensure employees adhere to the SOP; c) label each control on compactors conspicuously as to its function; d) install emergency stop controls on all compactors; controls shall be located within 3ft of the point of operation; e) post a sign on each compactor charging hopper access door that states, "CAUTION - BEFORE OPENING DOOR, TURN CONTROL PANEL KEY SWITCH TO OFF POSITION, REMOVE KEY, AND BLOCK OFF TRASH CHUTE' - for examples of alternate wording consult the American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z53.1.1972; andf) install a start-up alarm on each compactor, which is audible and visual for 5 seconds, and with a minimum delay of 15 seconds after the starting control is activated before the main motor starts. NOTE: In addition to abatement certification, the employer is required to submit abatement documentation for this item in accordance with 29 CFR 1903.19. For additional safety requirements on stationary compactors refer to ANSI Z245.2-1992.