Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 004 Hazard: LIFTING

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 an employee was exposed to a fall hazard. a) Production area - An employee was exposed to a fall hazard while being elevated in an inadequately guarded platform by a powered industrial truck.. GENERAL METHODS OF CONTROL APPLICABLE IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: 1.Platform must be secured to the lifting carriage and/or forks. 2.Platform must have a slip resistant surface. 3.Platform must be equipped with a standard guardrail system as follows: a.System to consist of toprail, midrail and toeboard. b.Toprail positioned with a vertical height of between 39 and 45 inches above the surface of the platform. Rope, chain, etc. used in place of solid railing not be able to be deflected more than 3 inches outward when a 200 pound force is applied and downward deflection to assure vertical height does not go below 39 inches. c.Midrail be positioned about 1/2 way between platform surface and uppermost surface of top guardrail. d.Access opening through the guardrail system be protected by a device providing equivalent protection of the guardrail system. 4.Operator to be in the control position of the powered truck when personnel elevated. 5.Overhead protection is mandatory for the powered truck and, if required by operating conditions, the platform. 6.When the moving parts of the truck represent a hazard, means must be provided to protect personnel in the normal working position. 7.Workers are to be instructed to keep their feet on the surface of the platform so as not to negate the protective guardrail system. 8.Prohibit movement of the forktruck while an employee is located on the platform. 9Utilize a ladder to perform the work. ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED