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

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: (a) Employees operating the Bobcat skid-steer loader were exposed to death, severe burns, broken bones due being struck by the bucket, being injured in a roll-over situation, or being burned by the exhaust system or by a fuel fire. Defects included, but were not limited to: an alteration in the exhaust system which placed the muffler 3 3/4" directly above the fuel fill cap/spout; bucket hydraulic leak(s); replacement of a pin with a screwdriver to hold the bucket on to the latching device; a bent bolt which holds bucket arm in place; an inoperable seat belt, damaged floor plate, and missing engine compartment cover. Employees were not trained in the safe operation of the loader and the regular inspection and proper maintenance of the loader. Among other methods, feasible and acceptable means for abating this condition include repairing the loader to bring it into compliance with manufacturer's specifications; the implementation of a preventative maintenance program which complies with the manufacturer's recommended maintenance procedures; the implementation of a system to inspect the loader for defects and to report the deficiencies; and training for operators in the safe operation and maintenance of the loader and in the recognition of conditions adversely affecting the safe operation.