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

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: a) The employer did not furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to falling and crushing hazards: On or about 05/27/06, at the Sarasota Square Mall construction site entry 1 area in Sarasota, Florida, an employee was exposed to the hazards of falling and being crushed by a powered industrial truck while operating a GENIE HIGH REACH GHT 844 rough terrain vehicle forklift, without wearing a restraining device such as, but not limited to seatbelts. Among other methods of abatement, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to prohibit employees from operating this type of equipment without wearing seatbelts (as furnished by mfg.) and then enforcing this prohibition. The Operator's Manual specifically addresses the seat belt issue in the General Safety Book #6 stating "Always wear seat belt when operating this machine" There is also a decal located on the PIT that states ALWAYS USE SEAT BELT" "Death or Serious Injury can result from failure to wear seatbelt." Violation observed on or about 5/27/06.