Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 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 emploment 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: A maintenance man on or about November 4, 1989, was in the process of installing a new gland seal in a hydraulic cylinder in the pit at the bottom of an elevator shaft. When the bolts were removed from the gland, oil started to spurt out onto the man and when he tried to get out of the way the spurting oil, the elevator came down, bent the one supporting 1 1/2" pipe and crushed the man between the bottom of the elevator and the floor. Abatement of the hazard can be accomplished by making sure that all necessary procedures for safety are taken by using two (2) 4/4 or 6/6 wood blocks, using steel rods through the rails and better communication between supervisors and maintenance men.