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 to each of his employees a place of employment which was 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: For the period of time up to and including 21 Jul 04, the employer did not always ensure that employees did not ride the forks of the rough terrain forklift. Employees were observed riding the forks of the rough terrain forklift to gain access to the metal roof of the structure. This condition exposed employees to the hazards and injuries related to falls from elevations of approx 18'8". ASME B56.6-1992, Safety Standard for Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks, Paragraph 5.15.1 states that "If a rough terrain forklift truck must be used to lift people, the following precautions [as described in sub-paragraphs (a) through (y) of this section] for the protection of personnel shall be taken." Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to: Provide a personnel platform that is constructed per the design requirements of this standard, assure that the platform is secured to the forks, and be ceratin that required restraining means, such as railings, chains, cable, harnesses with lanyards, etc are in place and properly used. DISCLAIMERS: 1) You are not limited to the abatement methods suggested above. 2) The methods explained are general and may not be effective in all cases. 3) The employer is responsible for selecting and carrying out an appropriate method.