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 hazards of falls when walking the tops of rail cars to sample the grain in the cars. Specifically, on November 18, 2004, and at times prior to, employees were exposed to a fall hazard greater than 4 feet above a lower level, while walking the tops of rail cars to sample grain, without the use of fall protection. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable methods to control the hazard would be to: 1.Install approved fall protection equipment to prevent falls. 2.Train employees on the use of the fall protection and the hazards associated with falls. 3.Develop work rules and disciplinary procedures prohibiting the walking on rail cars without the use of fall protection. 4.Work with grain elevator employers where inspections are performed to ensure that the fall protection equipment is in place and used by employees accessing the tops of the cars for inspection purposes. Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation. The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful. The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.ion