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 an employee was exposed to the hazard of being crushed/drowned by being pinned under the frame of an overturned drilling rig: a) On or about 03/09/06, on Construction Site at the Genesee Riverway Trail, South of Petten St., Rochester, NY: An employee was operating a "Drill Sergeant" rig to drill caissons next to a river. The worksite was narrow and the tracks on the rig were in the "retracted position". The auger was lifted out of the hole and the mast was swung clockwise to dump the spoils from the auger into the river. The drilling rig "tipped over" into the river, causing serious injuries to the operator who was pinned under the rig. Among others, a feasable method to eliminate or materially reduce this hazard is to follow the instructions in the Operator's Manual which states CAUTION: It is recommended that drilling from the side of the digger only be done with the tracks fully extended. Failure to do so may result in tipping of the rig. ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREDATION