OSHA Inspection: ASSOCIATED BUILDING WRECKERS

Issued

Mar 19, 1997

Abate by

Mar 24, 1997

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,200 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 ROTATING SUPERSTRUCTURE OF THE OPERATING MOBILE CATERPILLAR
235C EXCAVATOR PRESENTED A CRUSHING HAZARD TO EMPLOYEES.  ONE
FEASIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE METHOD OF ABATEMENT WOULD BE TO
BARRICADE THE WORK AREA SURROUNDING THE MACHINE AND/OR USE SOME
OTHER APPROVED METHOD FOR MOBILE EXCAVATORS, SUCH AS THE
INSTALLATION OF WARNING SIGNS ON ALL THREE SIDES OF THE
COUNTERWEIGHT AND AN EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM TO PREVENT
EMPLOYEES FROM CONTACTING THE ROTATING EXCAVATOR SUPERSTRUCTURE
AND/OR COMING IN CONTACT WITH FALLING DEBRIS FROM THE "GRAPPLE"
ATTACHMENT OF THE EXCAVATOR. THE EXCAVATOR OPERATOR MUST BE
INSTRUCTED TO CEASE OPERATING IMMEDIATELY UPON SEEING ANY EMPLOYEE
IN THE DANGER AREA.
(a) JOBSITE:  KIRKLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, SARGEANT STREET, HOLYOKE,
MA  --  MECHANICAL DEMOLITION OF SCHOOL BUILDING.

Issued

Mar 19, 1997

Abate by

Mar 24, 1997