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 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) The hazard of being struck by a mobile Garbage collection and compacting vehicle in that on or about November 15, 2000, and in times prior to thereto, employees rode on the rear steps of a McNeilus XC Rear Loader while it was operated in reverse on Tomcat Dr & Chat Ln in Round Rock Tx resulting in the death of an employee. The employer did not ensure that new employees were adequately trained prior to the use and operation of the McNeilus XC Rear Loader, and that when modifications to the rear loader were made, operating instructions establishing guidelines for the use, and care of the unit being modified were developed in accordance with the American National Standard Z245-1992. The employer did not ensure the following was met: a) employees were not provided instruction and training in the safe methods of work by the employer including procedures by the manufacturer prior to route assignment. The employer did not ensure that new employees were properly trained not to stand on the rear side steps when the vehicle was operated in reverse and the employer did not enforce its policy that prohibited the use of the rear side steps while the vehicle was operated in reverse. b) The employer did not develop guidelines including precautionary notices associated with modification to the rear side steps on the McNeilus XC Rear Loader. Among other feasible and useful methods of abatement for this hazard one method of abatement would be to familiarize employees in the manufacturers operating manuals and the employer safety and program prior to assigning employees to a route assignment. Route observations could have been conducted to ensure that employees were not riding the steps when the McNeilus XC Rear Loader was backing up and the employers safety policy could have been enforced to prevent employees from standing on the rear sides steps when the vehicle was operated in reverse. Employees could have been trained on the precautionary measures to be taken when riding the modified side steps which placed them further towards the back of the McNeilus XC Rear Loader and limited their stability while the vehicle was in motion.