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 of being crushed or struck by heavy construction equipment: a) Location - 207 Highland Avenue, Salem, MA: On or about June 3, 2005, the employer did not ensure that the elevated back-filled area prepared by an excavation contractor for paving as a parking lot was properly constructed using standard civil engineering procedures, compaction, and testing to prevent employee exposure to the hazards of embankment collapse or shifting while operating heavy equipment near the edge of the elevation. Among other methods, one feasible means of abatement to remove this hazard is: 1) Ensure that created elevated areas intended to support heavy loads are constructed using civil engineering techniques as described in: a) Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers; Frederick S. Merritt, b) Construction Guide for Soils and Foundations; Gordon A. Fletcher, Vernon A. Smoots