Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 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 physical injuries that included loss of forktruck loads, striking overhead objects, and slipping and tripping hazards during the course of their employment; the following condition contributed to the existence of this hazard: Instance a) - NB-5 Warehouse, 1st Floor, Rooms #1 and #3 Employees were exposed to physical hazards associated with the loss of loads over 500 pounds and striking overhead objects such as asbestos wrapped pipes while moving stock with industrial forktrucks without the provision of appropriate industrial lighting. No lighting was present in these work areas as noted by the compliance officer on December 6, 1994. Note: As an acceptable and feasible method to eliminate the above hazard, temporary or permanent lighting must be installed in these work areas. Instance b) - NB-7 Warehouse 1st and 2nd Floors Employees were exposed to serious slip and tripping hazards during the process of moving bulky totes of raw stock (weighing up to 1500 lbs.) by means of electric pallet truck and/or forktruck with little or no lighting. The above condition was noted on the 1st floor by the compliance officer on December 6, 1994. Light meter measurements made by the compliance officer on January 6, 1995 on the 2nd floor, indicated only 1-3 foot candles of light, which is not acceptable in accordance with ANSI A11.1 - 1965, Industrial Lighting. At a minimum, 10 foot candles of light must be present in industrial warehouse operation where bulky, rough materials are handled. Compounding hazards also existed with unseen floor holes, poor housekeeping and bent and protruding steel plates. Note: Acceptable and feasible methods to eliminate the employee exposure include, but are not limited to: 1) The installation of permanent or temporary lighting in these work areas. 2) In addition to above, daily housekeeping must be performed to assure debris present on floor does not create a slip hazard for employees walking on floors or who are required to operate mechanical devices, such as electric pallet jacks and/or industrial fork trucks. Any floor holes or openings identified must be repaired or adequate strength covers and/or suitable guardrails must be installed.