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 is free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees due to unsafe work practices associated with tree removal work using a Bobcat S185, Skid Steer. At the site: Instance 1: On or before September 28, 2010, an employee was exposed to injury when he was cutting a tree stump from the elevated forks of the Bobcat S185, Skid Steer with a Husqvarna chain saw, which exposed the employee to a fall hazard of approximately 3 feet. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method can be found in SAE J153, Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice, Section 4.3 Operator-General Precautions,instructs operators: "Do not permit riders on the machine if there are no manufacturer's designated place for the rider." In addition, Operator Instructions state: "Never use loader as man lift or as elevating device for personnel." The employee could have used the spikes and lanyard or an approved man lift to reach the cut. Instance 2: Operator of the Bobcat S185 Skid Steer loader left the operator controls with the arms of the skid steer in the raised position exposing the operator to crushing hazards, between the arms and cab, when climbing back into the operator's cab if inadvertant contact with controls occurs.. The operator was not trained to properly operate the skid steer loader by the employer and did not follow the instruction decals located on the skid steer loader and information in the operator's manual. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to follow the instructional decals located on the skid steer loader and follow the Operator's Manual for the Bobcat S185, Skid Steer, for employees to stay in the operator's cab while the vehicle is running or the arms are raised. In addition, all employees that operate the Bobcat S185, Skid Steer should receive training prior to operating the machine per the Operator's Manual. Instance 3: On September 28, 2010 an employee was exposed to laceration and amputation hazards due to contact with the unprotected blade of a chainsaw. The employee was operating the saw above shoulder height because he was not at a sufficient elevation on the raised forks of the Bobcat S185, Skid Steer. This caused an unstable and awkward standing position. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement would be to ensure employees are at a sufficient elevation with approved man lifts or climbing spikes and lanyards. In addition, the employer should ensure that employees use chainsaws with two hands at alltimes, and not operate the saw with it above shoulder height, as directed by the operator's manual.