Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 006A Hazard: UNCLASS

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 failed to furnish employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, as follows: a.At 5915 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV the employer did not have instructions or training that addressed abnormal situations, like material jams, for their stationary trash compactor. The employer failed to perform a hazard assessment of the stationary trash compactor, a review of the hazards associated with it, the equipment specific training of any person who may potentially encounter those hazards and a written program based on the hazard assessment. The thru-the-wall security chute did not have the required "DANGER: DO NOT ENTER" sign required by the manufacturer. On September 20, 2010, the Marathon model T-200T stationary trash compactor became jammed. The area supervisor allowed employee #1 to enter the trash compactor to clear the jam. Two hours later, the compactor jammed again. Two of the employees were instructed to enter the trash compactor to attempt to clear the second jam. Employee #1 entered and attempted to clear the jam while employee #2 refused to enter but assisted in unjamming the trash compactor from the outside. The machine was clearly marked "Never climb into chute to un-jam boxes; use a pole to push boxes into compacting chamber" and "Only trained and authorized maintenance technicians are allowed to service this equipment". The trash compactor manual contained similar language prohibiting employees from entering the trash compactor. The employees were exposed to possible serious injury from hazards associated with trash compactors and the unexpected energizing of the machine while clearing jams.