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

Section 5(a)(1): 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 harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck by: (a) On or about June 21, 2021, in the vicinity of Demers Avenue & 58th Street in Grand Forks, North Dakota, for the employee that sustained a leg amputation after being was struck by and dragged by a Vermeer RTX1250i2 ride on tractor with vibratory plow while installing fiber optic conduit. The employee was standing in a trench approximately 30 inches deep and located approximately 10 feet behind the piece of equipment attempting to hold the conduit from slipping as it was being plowed into the soil. After multiple failed attempts to get the conduit started, the operator was repositioning the machine when it lurched backward, striking the employee. Abatement Note: Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means to correct this hazard include but are not limited to: Following the Vermeer RTX1250i2 Operators Manual which states; Allow only responsible, properly instructed individuals to operate machine; Keep all spectators and other workers away from the machine and work area while in operation. Follow the Master Construction Safety Policies related to Work Zone Safety and worker protection around heavy equipment.