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 crushing injuries/hazards: Location: Corner of Columbus Avenue & 78th Street, New York, N.Y. On or about March 30, 2001 a)An employee was riding and/or standing on the back of the sanitation truck while it was backing-up and slipped and/or fell off and was run over by the truck. The employee was exposed to crushing injuries from the 84,000 pound truck. b)The riding/loading steps surface was worn-out, smooth and not slip-resistant. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to establish, enforce and comply with the American National Standard for Refuse Collecting and Compacting Equipment -Safety Requirements stipulated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - ANSI Z245.1-1984; and the National Solid Waste Management Association (NSWMA) - NSWMA Manual Of Recommended Safety Practices, 1988. Methods of acceptable safe procedures when operating a sanitation/refuse collection truck are, but not limited to, the following: 1.Train employees in all safe operational requirements for refuse collection. 2.Install a slip-resistant surface and self-cleaning riding/loading steps. 3.Ensure that the vehicle is at a complete stop before crews/helper(s) dismount the riding/loading steps. 4.Ensure no persons ride on the riding/loading steps of the rear-loading collecting vehicle when it is backing up. 5.Ensure all persons are off the riding steps and clear of the line of travel before signaling maneuver begins. 6.Avoid backing into the traffic flow if at all possible. 7.Repeatedly check both side mirrors as the backing up maneuver progresses. 8.Stop immediately and relocate the spotter/helper(s) if visual contact with the spotter/helper(s) is lost during the maneuver. 9.Require the use of reflective or high visibility vests. NOTE: ABATEMENT VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1,000.00 AS PER 29 CFR 1903.19.0