Text For Citation: 03 Item/Group: 001A 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 crushing and amputation hazards due to the possible inadvertent activation of unguarded palm buttons: a) Pipe Division 1) Between Continuous Welding Lines Number One and Two - Employees crush test sections of pipe with a hydraulic press. The press operating palm buttons are not protected from unintended operation thus exposing employees to injury from the closing press ram, observed June 22, 1989. b) Utilities, Shops, and Services 1) Central Maintenance Shop - Fabrication Department - The two (mushroom type) palm buttons used to initiate stroke on the Steelweld (large) shear, serial number M4850, located in the Fabrication Department were not protected by ring guards (or the equivalent). The shear blade was inadequately guarded, also, observed August 15, 1989. Among other feasible and acceptable methods to correct this hazard would be to provide guards for the palm buttoms.