Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

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(s) of crushing and/or drowning due to potential roll- overs while operating riding mowers: a) in that the employer did not ensure that all riding mowers (such as the Exmark Lazer Z), used where the terrain could have drop-offs and result in roll-overs or flipping, were equipped with roll-over protection (ROP) devices. On or about April 23, 2004 an employee was using an Exmark Lazer Z in close proximity to a retention pond when it rolled/flipped over resulting in the drowning of an employee. Abatement Note(s): Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard would be to purchase and install ROP devices on all riding mowers where flipping/rolling over is a potential hazard.