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

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 overhead equipment: (a)Treating Room - On or about 20 August 1999, and at times prior thereto, employees worked adjacent to, and moved the Mica Metering Bin which weighed in excess of 700 lbs. The Mica Metering Bin was mounted on top of an equipment stand that had four swivel wheels. This stand was approximately 24" x 20" with the wheels placed approximately 21" apart on each corner. The stand with wheels was approximately 75" high. The stand was very top heavy; thereby, exposing employees to the hazard of being struck by, and/or crushed by the Mica Metering Bin in the event that the stand and Mica Metering Bin tipped over. "AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO SUPPORT THE MICA METERING BIN FROM A PERMANENT STAND, OVERHEAD SLINGS, OR AN OVERHEAD STRUCTURE THAT WOULD FACILITATE A TROLLEY RUNNING ON AN OVERHEAD RAIL TO ALLOW MOVING THE BIN AWAY FROM THE CMS's AND INCLINE AUGER." OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE 29 CFR 1910.147(d)(5)(i): All potentially hazardous stored or residual energy was not relieved, disconnected, restrained or otherwise rendered safe after the application of lockout or tagout devices to energy isolating devices: (a)Treating Room - On or about 20 August 1999, and at times prior thereto, employees would unbolt the Mica Metering Bin and stand and move it away from the CMS's and incline auger, without taking adequate precautions to rendered safe the stored energy of gravity. Note: Abatement certification and supporting documentation are required for this item.