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

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment 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 falling hazard to a lower level from a moving vehicle: The employer did not address the warnings provided in the Ford Motor Company Customer Information "Warning - Passengers should be allowed to ride only in a seat with proper occupant restraint system. Persons who are not riding in a seat or are not properly restrained are much more likely to suffer bodily injury in the event of a collision." and "Warning - Failure to observe the above recommendations could affect the durability, ride quality, and safe handling of the vehicle and could result in a vehicle accident and personal injuries." by providing or enforcing a safety rule or policy, prohibiting employees from riding in the rear or cargo area of moving pickup trucks, or prohibiting them from riding in any pickup without a fastened safety belt or proper safety restraint device when employees were loading, unloading, and transporting furniture (ref. 1988 Ford, F-150 Series, Owner Guide, Consumer Information: Truck Camper Loading - WARNING; and Owner Guide, Occupant Restraint Systems, WARNING, page 48): a)site - 17 year old employee driving 1988, Ford, F-150 Series pickup truck, 5-10 mph, from furniture showroom to warehouse loading dock, while another 17 year old was riding on the tailgate of the pickup. One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to enforce a Written Safety Rule or Policy, explaining that employees are not allowed to ride in the rear or cargo areas of pickup trucks, provide more adequate supervision of high school youths while working in warehouse and transporting furniture back and forth from warehouse to showroom, and to ensure that youths are in compliance with the Youth Employment Act.