Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): 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 drowning hazard while operating a sit-down riding mower on the steep sloped bank of a lake: At the Swan Lake apartment complex site at 3303 N Lakeview Dr., Tampa, FL 33618, on 03/03/2016, an employee operating a Lexmark Lazer Z X-series sit-down riding mower (model# LZX940EKC606T0 and VIN# 315665683) fell into a lake and drowned when the mower tipped while being operated on the steep sloped bank of a lake. The slope was measured to have inclines of up to 16.3 degrees, and the average slope was measured to be 15.2 degrees. The following hazards were present: a) The mower was being operated on a steep slope with no roll over protection in that the overhead roll over protection system (ROPS) and seat belt were not being utilized. b) The mower was operated on a steep slope exceeding the maximum safe slope identified in the operator's manual in close proximity to a drop-off over water.