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 a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards which were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that, employees were exposed to hazards associated with the improper operation of a forklift boom attachment: a) On or about July 21, 2010 and at times prior, employees were exposed to crushed-by or struck-by injuries while they used a fork lift boom attachment in an inappropriate manner as follows: 1.The safety chain designed by the manufacturer to lock the boom to the forklift carriage was not in use. Without such a safety lock in place, the boom attachment and any associated loads of stone slabs could have slid off the forks and caused an injury. 2.The hook holding the stone slab clamp was damaged in that the spring loaded latch was not functioning. Without an effective latch, the clamp attachment could have separated from the boom and caused and injury. Abatement: Among other methods, a feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct the hazards would be to implement the requirements of the Abaco Machines operation manual for the forklift boom which requires the use of a safety chain and functional hooks. Abatement Note: Abatement certification is required for this item (see enclosed "Sample Abatement-Certification Letter").