OSHA Inspection: WHITESVILLE WOOD PRODUCTS CO. INC. DBA CORN VENEER

Issued

Dec 3, 1998

Abate by

Jan 5, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $750 Reduced

General-duty citation text

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 the hazard of falling to the ground while
working in an
unsecured platform raised in the air by the forks of a powered industrial
truck.
(a)  On 7/20/98, inside the employer's plant, two employees were in a
"cage type"
work platform supported in the raised position by the forks of a powered
industrial
truck. As the cage was being lowered, a bottom corner of the cage
contacted the top
of an open door on the Veneer Dryer  machine. The cage tilted and fell
approx. 10 ft.
to the concrete floor, seriously injuring both employees. The cage was not
secured to
the truck.
Among others, a feasible method to eliminate or materially reduce this
hazard is to:
1. Redesign the cage so that the bottom channels will accommodate the
widest forks
used.
2. Install properly sized chains to fasten the cage to the forklift.
3. Have the cage and chains approved by a registered professional engineer
ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION REQUIREDATION