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

Section 5(a)(1) of Public Law 91-596, 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 being caught in and crushed by materials being moved by a conveyor system that was automatically controlled: (a)On or about July 20, 2007, at the worksite, the conveyor that transfers the lumber from the sorter stacker to the platform for banding and marking worked on an automatic cycle. The conveyor was controlled by electric eyes that either backed the system up or moved the system forward. There were no audible warning devices installed in the control system warning employees of the conveyors impending movement, exposing employees to being struck-by and/or caught-in the conveyor and loads on the conveyor following the automatic start up. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to abate this hazard is to install a barrier, guard or guardrail system to prevent employees from accessing the area.