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 the hazard of "struck by" falling product and materials: a) Reddy Ice Group, Inc., 2101 31st Street, Denver, CO: Located in the freezer unit where crushed ice product is stored on a Prest drive in racking system, employees are exposed to "struck by" hazards associated with falling pallets and/or crushed ice product weighting up to 1800 pounds each. This condition is due to improper maintenance of the supporting rail system used to support the wood pallets. On or about May 20, 2010, several wood pallets placed inside the racking system had excessive space between the supporting rails and the ends of the wood pallets. This condition allowed for the lateral movement and subsequent displacement of the pallet and crushed ice product. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is develop and implement a maintenance program for all drive in rack systems. This maintenance program should include periodic inspections of the metal rail systems that supports the wood pallets. The rail system should be maintained with a distance that does not allow for enough lateral movement of wood pallets to fall from the supporting rails. Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (See enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").-Certification