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: On or about November 24, 2008, employees were exposed to the hazard of being struck and crushed by metal plate connect wood trusses that were not restrained or braced in accordance with manufacturer specifications. Feasible means of abatement could have been achieved by following the truss manufacturer guidance incorporated in the document received by the employer with the truss shipment and prepared by the Truss Plate Institute and the Wood Truss Council of America. This document was entitled, BCSI-B2, Truss Installation & Temporary Restraint/Bracing, and it recommended the following for long span trusses: 1)Install top chord lateral restraints every 4-feet on-center (maximum), overlapping each 2x4 restraint by 2-trusses. 2)Install top chord diagonal bracing at each end and every 20-feet (maximum) with each brace spanning 4-trusses (maximum). 3)Install bottom chord lateral restraints every 10 to 15-feet, overlapping each 2x4 restraint by 2-trusses. 4)Install bottom chord diagonal bracing at each end and every 20-feet (maximum), at approximately 45-degree angles, and overlapping each 2x4 brace by 2-trusses. 5)Install web diagonal bracing at the same spacing as the bottom chord lateral restraints, at each end and every 20-feet (maximum), starting at or near the bottom chord and at approximately 45-degree angles. 6)Secure each temporary brace and restraint member with 2-10d, 2-12d, or 2-16d nails at each truss the brace or restraint intersects. 7)Erect temporary truss support at center of the span, to reduce bucking forces in the trusses, until all permanent bracing is installed. 8)Sheath trusses as soon as possible to ensure the integrity of the structure. 9)Ensure that all lumber used to temporarily restrain and brace the truss system is stress graded lumber. 10)Ensure that truss bracing methods used are suitable for the type and size of truss being set. 11)Consult a Professional Engineer for temporary installation of restraints and braces for truss spans over 60-feet. ***Abatement documentation is required for this item in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1903.19(d)***