Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to crush by hazards: a)Mixer area of feed mill - The "Autoquip" pallet lift, model #FLM-4, had a gate which was positioned and secured in the open position at the first level to prevent employees from entering the pallet lift shaft while the lift is servicing the second level. b)Mixer area of feed mill - The safety interlock switches on the "Autoquip" pallet lift, model #FLM-4 had been by-passed which allowed the lift to be used while the gates were in the open position. c)Mixer area of feed mill - The "Autoquip" pallet lift, model #FLM-4 was operated by an employee who was not trained to inspect the lift prior to use to ensure it was in safe operating condition. One feasible method of abatement is to fix the gate as it was factory installed with the safety interlock working to ensure the lift will not operate until the gate is in the closed position, and to train operators to perform a visual inspection to ensure the lift is in a safe operational condition.