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, in that, employees are exposed to a crushing and/or drowning hazard caused by mowers turning over when employees operate mowers on grades sloped at angles that exceed the manufactures recommendations, or when employees operate mowers in close proximity to lakes and embankments, on or about 08/28/09. a) At the site, the rollover protective structure of a Toro Z Master riding mower, serial number 260000633, model number 74262, was broken in that, it could not be secured in the vertical position; the rollover protective structure was folded down, and out of use. The rollover protective structure could not be secured in the up position due to a missing bracket or pin exposing employees to a struck by or crushing hazard should the mower turn over. Employees were observed operating mowers on grades with slopes up to 18.3 degrees, on or about 08/28/09. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to: 1. Equip the mower with a properly functioning rollover protection system and ensure that employees are trained to inspect the Roll-over protective system to ensure that the system is installed and used in accordance with manufactures recommendations. 2. Develop and implement a written operator training program for employees who operate mowers. The program should incorporates topics such as, but not limited to: Hazard recognition of potentially dangerous conditions, such as those stated in the "Safety Instructions for Operators" section of the American National Standard for "Safety Specification for Power Lawn Mowers, Lawn and Garden Tractors, and lawn Tractor", ANSI B71.1-2003". 3. Follow the manufacturer operating instructions and "Safe Operating Practices" found in the Z-Master with 60 inch. Side Discharge Mower Model No. 74262 Operator's Manual. This includes "mowing up and down" grades with slopes greater than 5 degrees and to never operate mowers on slopes greater than 15 degrees. 4. Use weed-edging equipment and walk behind mowers in the "Safety Zone" areas (at the edge of waters and near drop offs). 5. Establish and implement unannounced safety audits to ensure all operators are following established safety procedures. 6. Develop a method to insure that the established safety rules are enforced.