OSHA Inspection: GREEN GRASS LANDSCAPING & CONTRACTING, INC.

Issued

Oct 19, 1992

Abate by

Oct 24, 1992

Penalty

Initial $1,500 · Current $1,000 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:
Hazards of being struck by rotating blades, White Plains Middle
School.
(a) On or about September 15, 1992:  In that employee(s) were
exposed to the hazard of being struck by rotating blades on a
walk behind lawn mower, while cutting grass.  John Deere 48 inch
lawn mower was operated without the following safety precautions
being provided or in working condition.
1.  Presence levers were taped to hurdles.
2.  Mulching plate, side discharge chute or grass catcher
was not installed.
3.  Belt and pulley guarding was not provided.
AMONG OTHER METHODS, ONE FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE
ABATEMENT METHOD TO CORRECT THIS HAZARD IS......
(A)  Follow the required John Deere Operators Manual for
48 inch and 52 inch commerical walk behind mowers, requiring
the following procedures.
1.  Mowers must not be operated without Mulching plate, side
discharge chute or optional grass catcher installed.
2.  Only engage blades when ready to cut grass.
3.  Release hands completey from handles allowing operator
presence levers (2) to come off handles, killing the engine.
Insure that operator presence levers are never secured (taped)
in place to prevent emergency activation of disengaging the
engine and the rotating blades.
4.  When operating on a hillside always turn mower towards the
uphill side for better control and balance.
5.  Insure that all moving parts, belts and pulleys are completely
guarded before use.