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: A fall of up to 12 feet at the loading and unloading areas for belt conveyors. Employees in these areas were not protected by a guard or barrier, and warning signs were not provided to restrict unauthorized personnel from entering the areas. (a)On or about 2/11/05 at the belt conveyor loading and unloading area on the south side of the Upstairs Shipping Area on the 2nd floor: Employees working in the area were potentially exposed to a fall through an unguarded floor opening and down a conveyor belt from the second floor to the first floor, a distance of approximately 12 feet. No warning signs were provided. (b)On or about 2/11/05 at the belt conveyor loading and unloading area on the north side of the Upstairs Shipping Area on the 2nd floor: Employees working in the area were potentially exposed to a fall through an unguarded floor opening and down a conveyor belt from the second floor to the first floor, a distance of approximately 12 feet. No warning signs were provided. Among other methods, two feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard are to (1) provide a guard or barrier to protect personnel or (2) provide warning signs in accordance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) ASME B20.1, Safety Standard for Conveyors and Related Equipment. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan within 25 days describing the actions it is taking to ensure compliance, including a description of how these steps protect its employees from falling into conveyor openings.