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 to a lower level: a) Sandpiper Self Storage, 5990 Walt Loop Road, Lakeland, FL - Two employees were repairing a fascia that was 21 feet above ground on a two-story office/residence building. They were using a 24 foot extension ladder which had a highest standing level of 16 feet 11 inches. The ladder was not long enough to reach the work area and in order to do the repair, the employee on the ladder had to reach overhead and lean backwards which caused unstable balance. Employees had not been instructed in the selection and use of ladders, on or about September 10, 2004. Among other methods, one means of feasible abatement would be to conduct employee training on the selection and use of ladders as per ANSI A14.8 and the sticker on the side of the ladder.