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 a crushing/caught-between hazard while riding the side step of the refuse truck. Winsor Ave.Johnston RI: On July 20, 2001, An employee riding the side step of the refuse truck, which was traveling at approximately 20-30 mph for a distance of 1 1/2 miles, was crushed when caught between the truck body and a utility pole. Feasible and acceptable means of abatement include but are not limited to:1) Requiring operators of Refuse collection vehicles equipped with riding steps to ensure that no persons ride on steps when the vehicle is exceeding 10 miles per hour or when the distance travelled exceeds 2/10 of a mile; 2) Monitoring the employee's operation of equipment and taking appropriate action to ensure proper use of the equipment, including adherence to safe practices: i.e. riding the step; 3) Providing for instruction and training of employees in safe methods of work before assigning them to operate, clean, service, maintain, or repair the equipment. Such instruction and training should include procedures provided by the manufacturer and records of the names of employees trained and dates of training should be maintained. Reference: ANSI Z245.1 &1992 Mobile Refuse Collection & Compaction Equipment Safety Requirement, Section 6 and 7.