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 employmnent 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 a fall hazard when elevated in apple bins on the forks of forklift trucks to perform maintenance work in the cold storage room(s); training was not provided for new-hired employees in the safe operation of powered industrial trucks prior to them operating the trucks; refresher training was not provided at least every three years; no certification of training was maintained; all violations of ASME/ANSI B56.1-2000. Also, the operator of the forklift moved the truck while the employees were elevated, a violation of ANSI B56.1-1975: (a)During the month of August 2009, the employer allowed personnel to be elevated to heights up to 20 feet in wooden apple bins on the forks of forklift trucks in order to perform maintenance tasks such as but not limited to repairing walls of the cold storage rooms to prevent air leaks. (b)On or about 11/24/2009, employer failed to provide training to new-hired employees prior to allowing them to operate forklift truck(s). (c)On or about 11/24/2009, employer failed to provide training refresher training at least every three years as required. (d)On or about 11/24/2009, employer failed to maintain certified documentation when training was provided in March 2004. (e)During the month of August 2009, operator of the forklift truck elevating personnel traveled with employee in the apple bin. Feasible means of abatement include: 1Provide proper equipment for safely elevating personnel using a forklift; 2Use a vehicle that is designed to move employees safely on elevated work platforms such as a scissor lift; 3Train employees in the proper and safe use of equipment as required prior to allowing them to operate forklift trucks; 4Maintain proper documentation; 5Include as part of the forklift training that the use of forklifts to elevate personnel is not permitted unless the proper equipment with fall protection is used. ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION AND CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM