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. Employee were exposed to struck-by and crushing hazards when operating a forklift without wearing a seat belt. An employee sustained fatal injuries when the forklift that was being operated fell off the side of a ramp and pinned the employee between the forklift and the ground. AMONG OTHER METHODS, FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHODS TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD ARE: 1)Train employees to always fasten their seat belt prior to operating a forklift, and to train employees on the hazards of a tip over. This can be referenced from the operator's manual (CAT Lift Trucks - Operation & Maintenance Manual - C5000). 2)Develop work rules and disciplinary procedures prohibiting operating a forklift without a seat belt. 3)Utilize and implement the guidelines as outlined in the operator's manual (CAT Lift Trucks - Operation & Maintenance Manual - C5000), and the Safety Rules Decals located on the CAT forklifts. This includes that only trained; authorized personnel may operate this lift truck. For safe operation, read and understand the Operation and Maintenance Manual furnished with the lift truck. This includes, but not limited to: (a)Do not allow employees to operate forklifts unless they are authorized and trained, or a designated trainee operating a forklift under direct supervision by a authorized trainer; (b)train employees to fasten the seat belt properly - if not, it will not restrain employees in a tip over, and they can fall outside of the operator's compartment and be crushed by the lift truck; (c)check work areas for high risk - when working on ramps use adequate blocks to reduce the risk of the lift truck from falling off; (d)train employees on the stability of an empty lift truck - an empty lift truck will tip over more easily than a loaded one in a lowered position. Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation. The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful. The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.ion