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 a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees who were exposed to fall hazards resulting in fatal and/or crushing type injuries while riding on the frames of leaf vacuuming units and their 5 yard dump truck towing vehicles during leaf vacuuming operations. On or about November 15, 2004 employees engaged in leaf vacuuming operations were allowed to ride on the cab access step of a GMC 5 ton dump truck and on the tongue or other open sections of the Tarrent Industries, Tarco Vacuum Leaf Collector unit during the collection of leaf piles from one point to the next all the while exposing rakers and vacuum operators riding on these units to fall and resultant crushing hazards from contact with vehicle tires and/or the vehicle frames that are designed close to the pavement. Among other methods some feasible and acceptable abatement methods to correct this hazardous condition are: 1. Follow the truck manufacturer's recommendations and do not allow any person to ride on or in the truck where it is not equipped with seat belts. 2. Follow the leaf collector unit's recommendations and do not allow any person to ride on the towed vacuum unit. 3. Develop and enforce a company policy that defines the location where employees are allowed to ride during vehicle movement. 4. Train all employees on the safe operation of the leaf vacuum including the adherence of safe distances during the towing of the unit. CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THESE ITEMS