Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 003 Hazard: CRUSHING

Nevada Revised Statute 618.375(1): Every employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees: The employer did not ensure that employees were operating the Mustang #2040 skid steer in accordance with the manufacturer's operational manual, as follows: a) At Re-New Recycling, an employee was operating a Mustang #2040 skid steer. The employee had loaded material into the Versatech grapple bucket. While the skid steer was still running and the loaded grapple bucket was elevated, the employee exited the skid steer to put the hanging material into the bucket. An eyewitness stated that when the operator got out of the skid steer, the machine shut off because the safety sensor in the seat detected the operator had gotten off the seat. The loaded grapple bucket came down and crushed the employee between the bucket and the ground. Two other employees of the company used two forklifts to lift the grapple bucket off of the employee. The injured employee suffered severe head trauma. Reference: Mustang #2040 skid steer loader Operator's Handbook, stated: Operator Safety Warnings: "Never leave loader with engine running or with the lift arms up." "Never leave loader with engine running or with lift arms up. To park, engage parking brake and put attachment flat on the ground." A feasible means of abatement would be to ensure that employees operating the Mustang skidsteer loader turn off the engine, engage the parking brake and the attachment is flat on the ground before exiting the skid steer.