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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer fails to furnish employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees are being exposed to crushing hazards. The employer fails to ensure the Leach 2R II Packmaster rear load mobile refuse collection vehicles are being operated with the manufacturer installed container safety latch arms in place and in use, allowing the container to slip from the mounting location at the rear of the vehicle and swing towards the operator. This violation was most recently observed on November 15, 2007, following an accident where a large container fell from the rear of a mobile refuse collection vehicle, Vin #1M1H147YXFMOO1256, due to the lack of manufacturer provided container safety latches. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS: (a) Install the required container latch arms on the vehicle as required by the manufacturer and ANSI Z245.1-1999, Section 7.3.2.5.1.(a), and require their usage, and, (b) Initiate a vehicle inspection program to identify and correct any safety equipment deficiencies on the refuse collection vehicles per ANSI Z245.1-1999, Section 6.1.5.(c). 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.