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 the hazard of "falling from elevation": (a) Employees who worked at Keebler Company were exposed to the hazard of falling from an elevated work platform on a Genie, Model GS-1930, scissor type lift in the automated pallet storage building, when the total guardrail system was not in place, in that, the midrail chain located on one end of this elevated work platform was not latched in place. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to require that the midrail chain be secured at the proper height at all times when employees occupy the elevated platform at a height of ten feet or more above ground level. This abatement method could be accomplished through the use of employee training, employee supervision, and equipping the scissor type lift with a limit switch on the midrail chain at its latching point that would not allow the lift to function until the midrail chain was properly latched in place. Abatement Note: Abatement certification and documentation are required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").