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 crushing hazards associated with failing to properly use seatbelt restraint devices while operating powered industrial trucks (fork lifts). AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS: (a) Develop and implement written procedures requiring operators of fork lifts to wear provided seat belts when operating these vehicles. (b) Develop and implement a disciplinary action program and procedures to ensure that employees wear seat belts while operating these vehicles. (c) Take precautions with regards to the vehicles to prevent an accident from happening including but not limited to, ensuring all vehicle operators are trained in the safe operation of the vehicle. (d) Ensure that if a seatbelt retrofit kit is available through the fork truck manufacturer it is installed on the vehicle. 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.