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 the condition(s) listed below: Maple Cooperative Gin, Hwy 596, Maple, TX. For the period of time up to and including 12/07/05, employees were not protected from fall hazards when working along the catwalks around the stick machine and lint cleaners. Although the outside edge of the catwalk had a standard railing, the inside edge did not, even though the gap between the machinery and the catwalk was between 2 and 3 feet, which was adequate for a person to fall through. This catwalk was approximately 14 feet from the floor. Under the American National Standard A12.1 1973, paragraph 5.1 states "Every open-sided floor or platform 4 feet or more above adjacent floor or ground level shall be guarded by a railing (or the equivalent as specified in 7.3) on all open sides, except where excluded as specified in 1.2 and where there is entrance to a ramp, stairway or fixed ladder. Under the American National Standard A12.1 1973, paragraph 7.1 states "A guard railing shall consist of top rail, intermediate rail or equivalent protection, and posts, and shall have a vertical height within the range of 36 inches to 42 inches nominal from upper surface of top rail to floor, platform, runway, or ramp level. One feasible and acceptable abatement method would be to ensure all walking / working surfaces are installed / maintained in accordance with A12.1 of the American National Standards. "Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19(d), the employer must provide documentation that this violation has been abated within 10 calendar days after the abatement date."ent