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 employees were exposed to serious injuries due to fall hazards from an inadequately guarded or unstable work platform. On 10/13/09, employees were working from an elevated work platform mounted on the forks of a Pettibone rough terrain forklift. a) The platform was 14 feet wide and the tire span of the Pettibone was 103 inches; approximately 34 inches of the platform extended out to either side of the Lift truck, creating a potentially unstable work surface. b) The platform was not securely attached to the forks of the lift truck. c) The platform guardrail system was not adequate to protect personnel from fall hazards. d) The platform was missing the center panel guard, exposing personnel to moving parts. Feasible means of abatement in these circumstances could include ensuring that the platform meet the design, construction, and use requirements as outlined by American National Standards Institute ASME/ANSI B56.6 2002, Safety Standards for Rough Terrain Forklift Trucks section 8.24.1(b): Platform width not greater than the overall width of the truck [measured across the load bearing tires plus 10 in. on either side]. Also ASME B56.6 2002 section 8.24.1 (e) platform protection to be provided from moving parts of lift truck. Also ASME B56.6 2002, section 8.24.1 (h) means required to securely attach platform. Also ASME B56.6 2002, section 8.24.1 (l) restraining means such as guard rail or body belt for securing personnel. No Abatement Certification or Abatement Documentation required.tion