Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001A 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 were exposed to the hazard of being crushed by, caught by, or pinched by the rotating superstructure and/or being ran over by the tracks of the equipment: (a)Job Site - On or about 29 June 1998, and at times prior thereto, employees routinely access(ed) the front right side of the superstructure of the Caterpillar track excavator (Model # 225D, Product Identification #2SJ00604 ) to store and retrieve gas pipeline warning tape and tools, thereby exposing them to the hazard of being crushed by, caught by, or pinched by the rotating superstructure and/or being ran over by the tracks of the equipment. AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS TO: Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer outlined in the Caterpillar Operation & Maintenance Manual for 225D and 231D Track-Type Excavators, SEBU6295-02, dated August 1991. The Machine Operation section on page 44 states: "Be sure no one is working on or near the machine to prevent injury. Keep the machine under control at all times to prevent injury." NOTE: Storage of supplies/tools/equipment on the excavator will routinely cause employees to access an area which has a restricted view from the operators cab, thereby preventing the operator from ensuring that no other employee is working on or near the machine. Note: Abatement certification and supporting documentation are required for this item.