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 to each of his employees a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to the hazard of being crushed by a garbage truck that was backing up. On or about December 20, 2008, an employee was exposed to the hazard produced by a garbage truck backing up while they are in the near vicinity. Predawn darkness compounded the danger. The hazard was recognized and foreseen by the company. The company safety manual specifically addresses safety while backing up and employees are trained on the proper procedures to minimize the risk. The company safety manager told the CSHO that industry associations they deal with reported there had been a large number of employees run over by garbage trucks in the December 2008 - January 2009 time frame. This hazard caused a fatality when an employee tried to jump onto the side of the truck at or near the intersection of Venture Blvd and Valhi Street. This employee slipped, fell behind the truck, and was run over. One method of abatement, among other feasible methods, is to use a spotter when the truck is backing up. This is actually called for in the company's safety manual. ABATEMENT VERIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM. Certification shall include a statement that the abatement is complete, the date and method of abatement, and states that employees were informed of the abatement. Verification shall include documentation and or photographs of the above.