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

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 falling to a lower level due to an unguarded opening: (a)M/V Independence: The employer failed to provide complete operational doors or gates with interlocking devices on the port forward freight elevator and the starboard forward freight elevator to prevent the elevators from being operated while any door or gate is opened. Employees could fall into the open elevator shaft if the elevator was not stopped at the platform or be struck by the moving car. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement would be the installation of either a mechanical or electrical interlocking device to prevent operations of the car with an open front.