Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 006 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: Being crushed in a stationary compactor in the event of inadvertent activation as a result of inoperable security switches. A program of periodic and regular inspections to ensure that stationary compactors were in safe operating condition had not been developed and implemented. (a)On or about 2/10/05 in the Compacting Area: Employees used a stationary compactor owned by Waste Management to compact cardboard. The key-lock on-off switch was locked in the ON position by a key which had been broken off in the switch. (b)On or about 2/10/05 in the Compacting Area: Employees used an Octamag 2 stationary compactor owned by the employer to compact trash. The key-lock on-off switch was locked in the ON position by a key which has been broken off in the switch. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable means to abate this hazard is to develop and implement a program of periodic and regular inspections to ensure that stationary compactors are in safe operating condition in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and the American National Standards Institute ANSI Z245.2, Stationary Compactors-Safety Requirements for Installation, Maintenance, and Operation. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1903.19, the employer must submit an abatement plan within 25 days describing the actions it is taking to ensure compliance, including a description of how these steps protect its employees from the hazards associated with defective stationary compactors.