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 struck-by, crushing and fall hazards at the Concrete Elevator personnel elevator. The employer is failing to ensure that employees are protected from a fall hazard when they are utilizing the unguarded hoistway opening (elevator shaft) of the personnel elevator. The hoistway was not protected at each landing by a door or other interlocked gate device. Further, the elevator car remained functional when the elevator car door was open. The unprotected hoistway exposed employees to a fall of approximately 100 feet. The absence and malfunction of door interlocks exposed employees to struck-by, crushing and entanglement injuries from inadvertent contact with moving parts of the equipment and hoistway. Among methods, feasible and acceptable methods of abatement are: 1) Maintain the elevator in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and with the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.1 and A17.3 (1996 and later editions). 2) Inspect the elevator in accordance with the requirements of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.1 and A17.3 (1996 and later editions). 2) Install self-closing hoistway doors that are interlocked to keep them closed when the elevator car is moving. Interlocks shall prevent opening of the doors if the elevator is not in the landing zone or similar protection. 3) Prior to operation have elevator inspected by the State elevator inspector and make whatever repairs to the elevator to ensure it is in compliance with the state's elevator requirements and the inspector's recommendations. Abatement certification and abatement documentation is required for this violation. The documentation should include written verification of abatement, applicable measurements or monitoring results, and photographs or videos which you believe will be helpful. The abatement certification sheet is enclosed with the citations.