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 employmnent 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 struck by the concrete pumper truck boom. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct would be to improve the communication between the spotter and the operator. The American Concrete Pumping Association stresses this aspect of pour safety and recommends a meeting to coordinate the communication before the pour begins. a) At Cordillera Ranch, Edwards, CO. (Duckels Construction jobsite): Employees placing concrete with a pump truck were exposed to the hazard of being struck by the boom. The pumper operator and spotter/signalman had a communication problem which resulted in another employee being struck by the placement pipe on the end of the boom. Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter"). ELEMENTS OF A 5A1: 1. The employer failed to keep the workplace free of a hazard to which employees of that employer were exposed: Several employees were exposed to this hazard as the pour crew. The employees did the placement, viberating, and finishing of the concrete. They gave the signals used during the pour. Using the pumper is the most efficient way to place that much concrete in forms of this size, but the employees in the area are all exposed to the hazard of a heavy pipe and tube as well as falling concrete from such an operation. 2. The hazard was recognized: The site superintendent told the crew to be careful. He also reported that the operator was "Rough" to the company on an earlier pour. The employees knew the pipe was heavy and hard to handle from prior experience. The ACPA addresses the hazard in their safety manuals several times. The manufacturers of concrete pumpers place proper signal posters, and warnings on their vehicles 3. The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious physical harm: The movement of heavy loads by using long, powerful hydrolic arms is something that a reasonable man would consider dangerous. The fact an employee was struck and knocked off a work platform confirms the hazard. There are several recorded incidents where pumpers have been involved in. 4. There was a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard: The ACPA addresses the problem by suggesting the movement of the operator for depth perception improvement, and states several times in their manuals that someone who can signal and is responsible should discuss the operation with the operator before the pour begins.