Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard: FALLING

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 fall hazards while using a personnel platform on a rough terrain forklift: Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct these hazards is to retrain all employees and monitor the actions of the crews through inspections and interviews. a) At 910 Campbell, Kersey, CO. (Sinnett Builders Inc. jobsite): Employees using a personnel platform on a rough terrain forklift were exposed to falls due to not adhering to the following ANSI and company operating/training guidelines. 1. ASME/ANSI B56.6c-1991: 5.15.1(i),(l),(r), and (u): 2. Company operating procedures: (f.iii), (m.i,iii,iv) DISCUSSION OF 5A1 ELEMENTS: 1. The employer failed to keep the workplace free of a hazard to which employees of that employer were exposed: The employees of Robert Barrow Const were exposed to fall hazards due to several improper actions taken with the use of a rough terrain forklift. The lift was being used to raise personnel on a platform. There were foremen for the company who were designated operators of the lift making some of the mistakes in set-up. 2. The hazard was recognized: The ansi standard dealing with this type of lift was sent to the CSHO by the company owner. He had acquired it years before from a consultant. The company training rules were also broken. The construction industry recognizes the danger of these lifts 3. The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious physical harm: The lift was being used at heights of 25 feet and over. Falls from that distance result in broken bones, internal injuries, and death. 4. There was a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard: The employees on site had been trained years before and didn't do too bad a job of using the lift. Retraining and enforcement of the company operating procedures would fix this problem.