Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: STRUCK BY

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 struck-by hazards from moving vehicles in the fields: a) Employees planting tomato seeds at 43510 Niel Road, Punta Gorda, FL, were exposed to struck-by hazards in that, vehicle operators delivering agricultural supplies and water to the field can lose sight of workers who work in close proximity to the vehicle's travel path. No procedures such as, but not limited to, engineering and/or administrative controls were in place for the safe operation of vehicles in the fields. Abatement Note(s): Reasonable and adequate methods to abate this hazard exist, and may include, but are not limited to, the following: 1)Engineering Controls: (a) Minimize the use of vehicles in the farm areas where employees are engaged in farming activities such as, but not limited to the planting of tomato seeds. (b) Posting of warning signs to inform vehicle operators of the presence of workers in the field(s) and the appropriate safe driving practices (e.g., not backing up in the vicinity of workers). (c) Install and/or require the use of back-up alarms or other similar warning devices on all vehicles used on the farm. 2)Work Practice / Administrative Controls: (a) Schedule the setting of equipment, materials, drinking water and other employee daily needed supplies, prior to the employees' start up of daily activities in the farm. (b) Prohibit employees from approaching vehicles from the rear of the vehicle and drivers from operating the vehicles with rage behavior. (c) Periodic audits by management to ensure operators of moving vehicles are complying with the company's policies. Implementation of effective progressive disciplinary action to correct deficiencies. (d) Instruct vehicle operators to always drive in a forward motion when employees are working in the vicinity of the vehicles travel path.l