OSHA Inspection: GAROFALO BROTHERS RECYCLING AND TRANSFER STATION

Issued

Feb 24, 1993

Abate by

Mar 1, 1993

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,500 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 hazard of being struck by the front end loader  when  it was
operating in reverse:
a) Plant recycling station: Caterpillar model # 966D front end
loader had an obstructed view  of  the rear and operated in
reverse without  a reverse signal alarm distingushable from
the surrounding noise level in operation nor was there
someone
to signal that it was safe to back-up  in the recycling
bay on or about 12/18/92.
One feasible and acceptable method, among others, to correct
the hazard is to:
1) Make certain that the reverse signal alarm is operational
each time the loader is used.
2) Train operators  and  surrounding  personnel  about  the
hazards of working in the proximity of the loader.
3) Make daily inspections of the loader before use,  report
defects and make repairs
4) Implement a preventive maintainance program, including
written records of actions taken.
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