Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 crushing injuries or death: WORKSITE: The employer did not ensure through visual observation, instruction and training that the operator of the Volvo Wheel Mounted excavator, Model EV160C, was wearing safety seat belt at all times while travelling. On or about April 7, 2010, the operator of the above excavator was travelling without wearing a safety seat belt on an Interstate highway with the arm/boom left in an elevated position, and the operator was ejected from the seat/cab after the elevated arm/boom hit an overpass bridge structure. The operator sustained fatal injuries from the incident. Among others, one feasible and acceptable method of abating this hazard is to: 1.Follow the manufacturer's recommended procedures. 2.Provide training to employees on these procedures. 3. Enforce the employees wearing seat belt at all time while travelling. 4.Enforce the procedures through visual observations and instructions prior to travelling.