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

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 fall hazard: Employees, involved in the installation of a petroleum pipeline on the La Mestena Lease on Jones Ranch, approximately 18 miles South of Hebbronville off FM 1017, were exposed to the hazards associated with a fall from a moving vehicle. Employees were riding on the edge of a closed tailgate and standing on the rear bumper of a Ford F350 pickup truck that was being driven in reverse on sandy terrain. Feasible and acceptable means of abatement include, but are not limited to: (a) Prohibit employees from riding on any part of a motor vehicle other than approved seating, including the cargo area of pickup trucks, (b) install seating systems which are in compliance with 49 CFR 571.207 and occupant crash protection (eg. seat belts) per 49 CFR 571.208 in employee transport vehicles and do not exceed the designed personnel capacity of the vehicle, (c) develop safe work practices and written procedures for employee transportation at the jobsite, (d) document employee training and utilize progressive discipline to ensure enforcement of the rules.