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Violation Detail
Standard Cited: 5A0001 OSH Act General Duty Paragraph
Inspection Nr: 310745989
Citation: 01001
Citation Type: Serious
Abatement Status: X
Initial Penalty: $4,900.00
Current Penalty: $4,500.00
Issuance Date: 09/24/2007
Nr Instances: 1
Nr Exposed: 1
Abatement Date: 10/27/2007
Gravity: 10
Report ID: 0420600
Contest Date:
Final Order:
Related Event Code (REC): A
Emphasis:
| Type | Latest Event | Event Date | Penalty | Abatement Due Date | Citation Type | Failure to Abate Inspection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penalty | I: Informal Settlement | 10/16/2007 | $4,500.00 | 10/27/2007 | Serious | |
| Penalty | Z: Issued | 09/24/2007 | $4,900.00 | 10/27/2007 | Serious |
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 an employee was exposed to an electrocution hazard: On or about March 31, 2007, while gable topping at the Williamson Cattle Company in the Ruby Red Grapefruit #3 block in Okeechobee Florida, an employee was electrocuted after cutting the top of an electrical pole causing the power lines to fall down onto the equipment (John Bean - FMC Model 330 - L-2493F Top-All). The two man operation (one tractor operator and one top-all operator) had been modified to use only one tractor operator controlling the tractor and the hedging/topping trailer behind him. The modification effected the safeguard of the equipment by obstructing the vision and controls related to the potential hazard such as power poles. The cutting arm (boom) had been extended from the original length by 5 feet. ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE METHODS OF ABATEMENT, AMONG OTHERS, TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD WOULD BE TO: 1) Not operate Pruning Machines with only one person in the cab of the tractor, since the equipment was designed to be used with two people operating, (one in the tractor cab and one on the Top-All's control basket operating the equipment accordingly); 2) While conducting the initial pre-job evaluation of the work areas, mark out the "hidden" electrical poles by placing a bright orange traffic type cone (or equivalent) in an obvious spot marking the area(s) of extreme caution increasing the awareness level; 3) Follow The American National Standard Institute (ANSI Z133.1-2006) 5.1.2 SAFE USE OF VEHICLES AND MOBILE EQUIPMENT USED IN ARBORICULTURE which states "Units shall be equipped and maintained with the manufacturers' safety devices, instructions, warnings and safeguards. Arborist and other workers shall follow instructions provided by manufacturers."