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

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 were exposed to serious bodily injuries while operating and/or servicing of a brush chipper machine: JOBSITE: The employer did not ensure through conducting, performing and providing employees with appropriate criteria, such as (but not limited to) the following prior to commencing tree felling, cutting and other operations (TASKS) with heavy machines, such as (but not limited to) Bandit Brush Chipper machine that the employees were performing the TASKS safely and appropriately at all times: 1. Conduct onsite job briefings. 2. Provide adequate and appropriate training and information pertaining to the EQUIPMENT. 3. Properly maintain and service EQUIPMENT as required. 4. Conduct visual observation of employees performing the TASKS. On or about July 11, 2011, the hood of the cutting wheel of the BANDIT Brush Chipper (Machine) flew off the machine while an employee was trying to open the hood prior to the cutting wheel coming to a complete stop. The hood struck the face of the employee, causing severe facial injuries from the incident. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to correct the hazard is to: 1. Conduct a onsite job briefing and visual hazard assessment with employees involved in the above tasks. 2. Provide training, information and instructions that specify step-by-step procedures are followed by every employee at all times. 3. Conduct visual observation of employee's performance onsite. 4. Utilize other available engineering technologies. 5. Comply with the appropriate section(s) of the following American National Standard Institute, ANSI Z133.1-2006, publication. A) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 5.1.3: Manufacturers' preventive maintenance inspections and parts replacement procedures shall be followed. B) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 5.1.13: Units shall be turned off, keys removed from the ignition, and rotating parts at rest prior to making repairs or adjustments, except where manufacturer's procedures require otherwise. Defects or malfunctions affecting the safe operation of equipment shall be corrected before such units are placed into use. C) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 5.3.2: Access panels (for example, guards) for maintenance and adjustment, including discharge chute and cutter housing, shall be closed and secured prior to starting the engine of brush chippers. These access panels shall not be opened or unsecured until the engine and all moving parts have come to a complete stop(See Annex C, General Safety Procedures That Apply to All Tree Work). D) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 8.6.5: Training shall be provided in the proper operation, feeding starting, and shutdown procedures for the chipper being used. E) ANSI Z133.1-2006, 8.6.6: Maintenance shall be performed only by those persons authorized by the employer and trained to perform such operations.