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

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 the hazards of falls, striking against the box line conveyors or sides of the transfer belts, or striking fixed objects such as overhead belts due to unintended start-up of conveyors during the following situations: On or about May 23, 2001 an employee on the Day Sort shift was, on two separate occasions, clearing jams on belts with the conveyor shut off by radio contact with control tower personnel, when on each occasion the conveyor belt was energized without authorization of the employee clearing the jam exposing employees to hazards associated with unexpected start-up of the conveyors. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method is to include the clearing of jams occurring on conveyor belts as activities in the lockout program. 29 CFR 1903.19(d)(1) requires certification and documentation that the abatement of the above violation is complete.