UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

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 to each of his employees a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees in that employees were exposed to crushing injuries from vehicles that were backing: 11906 Heritage Lane, Houston, TX; the employer did not ensure that drivers engaged in residential garbage collection are effectively trained and use proper backing procedures. Drivers are not using assistance while backing up garbage trucks long distances. This condition exposes employees to the hazard of being crushed in the event of walking or standing behind the truck during trash collection activities. Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable method to abate this hazard to enforce compliance with American National Standards Institute for Mobile Wastes and Recyclable Materials Collection, Transportation, and Compaction Equipment - Safety Requirements (ANSI) Z245.1-1999, and insure the following: (1) implement and enforce a policy of no long distance backing; (2) that all employees, including supervisors and contract laborers, are properly trained and retrained when there is a deviation from procedures; (3) periodically reinforce training and observe the employee's work and take appropriate actions to ensure adherence to safe practices. *** Certification and Documentation of Abatement Required ***