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

Section 5(a)(1) of Public Law 91-596, 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 when a tractor truck was operated in reverse and the driver did not ensure that the area behind the truck was clear; an employee was standing behind a tractor truck operated in reverse; locations of all co-workers were not known prior to operating a tractor truck in reverse; and the truck tractor had no audible warning signal (back-up alarm). (a)Scrapyard - On or about June 7, 2011 employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while working near a tractor truck operated in reverse and they were not protected by the driver verifying that the area behind the tractor truck was clear. (b)Scrapyard - On or about June 7, 2011 employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while working near a tractor truck operated in reverse and they were not protected by training emphasizing no standing or crossing behind vehicles operating or about to operate in reverse. (c) Scrapyard - On or about June 7, 2011 employees were exposed to struck-by hazards while working near a tractor truck operated in reverse and they were not protected by employer training for the driver to verify co-worker locations before operating vehicles in reverse. (d)Scrapyard - On or about June 7, 2011 an employee was exposed to struck-by hazards while repairing trailer light wiring and he was not protected by an external audible warning signal (back-up alarm) provided on a tractor truck. Among others, one feasible and useful abatement method to correct these hazards is to follow the recommendations of ANSI Z245.1-2007 below. Reference ANSI Z245.1 - 2007 Section 6.2.3.2 which states: When driving or riding in the vehicle: (f) When a vehicle is being operated in reverse, ensuring that the area behind the vehicle is clear; (g) Not crossing or standing behind a vehicle operating, or about to operate, in reverse; (h) Making sure the locations of all co-workers are known before operating the vehicle in reverse; Reference ANSI Z245.1 - 2007 Section 7.2.13.2 which states: An external audible warning signal device (back-up alarm) shall be provided on all motor vehicles. Motor vehicles, except trailers, must utilize electrically operated backup alarms which can include self-adjusting alarms with a minimum output of 87 Db.... Alarms shall actuate: a) When the vehicle is operated in reverse, or b) When top-hinged hydraulically-raised tailgates are open.