OSHA Inspection: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Issued

Nov 30, 1995

Abate by

May 6, 1996

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 an avalanche
without making a proper hazard assessment.  No standard operating procedure
was in place.  An avalanche consultant had not been used to identify areas
of
avalanche terrain or recommend safety procedures or protocols for snow
removal.  Road crews had not been trained in snow removal procedures,
search
and location, or what to do if caught in or witness to an avalanche.
Supervisors were not given training to enable them to recognize and
eliminate
or reduce safety and health hazards in their working units.
a.No job safety analysis was done in compliance with NPS-50 guidelines.
b.Road crews did not receive documented training in vehicle operation.
c.Snow stability of individual slopes was not evaluated.
d.No safety or rescue plan for working avalanche terrain was in place.
e.Lack of rescue equipment, no training or practice in the use of rescue
equipment.
f.No avalanch lookout to watch for avalanche activity, or method to warn
operators.
g.No central coordination, or communication between various road crews.
h.Appropriate specialized job safety training was not provided to
employees.
i.Supervisors were not trained in safety and health procedures.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to
provide an occupational safety and health program following guidelines
provided in NPS-50.  Draft standard operating procedures based on job
hazard
analysis, which include as a minimum:
a.Documented training to road crews on vehicle operation, snow
removal and avalanche preparedness.
b.Operating procedures, training plans, and avalanche terrain
evaluated by an avalanche consultant.
c.Supervisors trained in the skills necessary to manage the agencies
safety and health program.
Cease snow removal operations in areas with avalanche history or potential
until the aforementioned deficiencies are abated.  Snow removal should not
be
resumed without completing site specific job hazard analysis, and the
potential for avalanche has passed or been otherwise removed.

Issued

Nov 30, 1995

Abate by

Jan 13, 1996

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 hard to employees in that employees were exposed to an avalanche
in
an open bulldozer without making a proper hazard assessment.  Snow removal
equipment working in a know avalanche area did not have enclosed roll-over
cabs, sufficient to protect the operator from ice and snow incurred
injuries.
Equipment operators had not received specialized training involving
avalanche
hazards, or snow removal protocols.
One feasible and acceptable abatement method to correct this hazard is to:
a.Provide snow removal equipment with enclosed roll-over cabs.
b.Provide specialized training and practice in snow removal
protocols.
c.Cease snow removal operations until equipment is properly
outfitted.

Issued

Nov 30, 1995

Abate by

May 6, 1996