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 falls from moving rail cars: (a)On or about 03/05/2003 - Locations at the Coal Dump area and associated track - Rail Cars - Employees were exposed to falls from rail cars when required to mount and dismount moving rail cars that had damaged safety appliances: Car #5066 damaged stirrups; Car #5070 damaged ladder handholds and sill steps; Car #5051 damaged ladder handholds and sill steps; Car #5103 damaged ladder handholds and sill steps; Car #5048 damaged ladder handholds and sill steps; Car #5055 damaged sill step; Cars #5069 and 5066 damaged brake platforms. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement include, enforcement of the inspection, tagging out, and repair of rail cars with defective/damaged ladder handholds, step sills and stirrups prior to their use. Prohibit employees from mounting rail cars with defective ladder handholds, step sills and stirrups. (b)On or about 03/05/2003 - Car Dropping operations at the Coal Dump - Employees were exposed to falls from rail cars when retarders did not work properly resulting in out-of-control rail cars running into stationary rail cars. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement include, ensuring that areas around the retarders are kept free of oil and grease; establishing a periodic maintenance and inspection program for the car retarders to ensure their operational capability is continually maintained.