Text For Citation: 02 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

North Carolina General Statute 95-129(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina: The employer did not furnish to each of his employees conditions of employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were exposed to pinch points, crushed by hazards and falls while riding the metal plunger of a tobacco baler: a) Tobacco curing barns located between 1043 and 1031 Charlie Monk Road, Hurdle Mills, NC! Six migrant farm workers were loading cured tobacco leaves into a Taylor "Big Foot" tobacco baler while a seventh worker was standing on top of the leaves, inside the box of the tobacco baler (approximately 5' 6" from the ground), beneath the metal plunger used for compacting the leaves into a 700-850 lb. bale. The particular tobacco baler being used was powered by two hydraulic lines running between the machine and an International tractor parked immediately in front of the baler. While leaves were being loaded into the baler box the tractor was not running and the baler itself was de-engergized. When the box became full a worker would walk to the tractor, turn on the power then walk back to the baler controls and lower the metal plunger to compact the leaves. While this function was occurring the worker who was stomping down the leaves in the baler box would ride on top of the metal plunger down into the box then back up to the stopping position. ABATEMENT NOTE: Among others, one feasible and acceptable means of abatement would be to properly train workers in how to operate the machine according to the manufacturer's specifications which clearly state to "stay clear of the plunger at all times."