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

Title 40.1-51.1.(a); Code of Virginia: 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 employee(s) were exposed to crushing hazards while servicing a skid loader. On August 9, 2006, an employee experienced problems with the hydraulics on a New Holland LS 180 skid loader. The owner and the employee began troubleshooting the problem with the owner sitting in the operators seat and the employee standing under the raised bucket. The bucket was not independently supported by the boom lock pins provided for such operations by the manufacturer. The employee was replacing a bolt on the foot control for the bucket when the bucket slammed down, crushing the employee between the loader frame and the bucket. Note: One feasible and acceptable abatement method, among others, to correct this hazard is to follow the manufacturer's Safety Precaution which states, "Before Servicing the skid steer or any of its attached equipment, be sure that the attachments are lowered to the ground or that the boom arms are supported by the boom lock pins."