OSHA Inspection: PENN TRAFFIC CO., RIVERSIDE DIVISION

Issued

Jul 29, 1996

Abate by

Aug 1, 1996

Penalty

Initial $4,500 · Current $3,375 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 multiple injuries from falling hazard when employees are
elevated on cages,
pallets or the forks when used with a powered industrial truck.
a) Perishable Distribution Center-Personnel lifting platforms were not
secured to
the powered industrial trucks lifting carriage and/or forks with safety
chain or
cable, platforms did not have a guardrail system that included a midrail,
the
platform was constructed of wood/paper construction and not of sufficient
strength to safely support any load imposed on the floor.  Employees were
exposed to falls of up to 28 feet to the concrete floor.
b) Perishable Distribution Center-Employees would ride the forks or use
pallets
placed on the forks to be lifted up to the picking racks to pick-up
cases,bundles,boxes of food that had fallen of off the storage pallets.
Employees
were exposed to falls of up to 28 feet to the concrete floor.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct this hazard is
the use of a platform meeting the following requirements:
A. The platform shall:
1.be sufficiently strong to support any load(s) which may be imposed on it,
2.be securely attached to the lifting carriage or forks, which shall be
secured
so they do not pivot upward,
3.be designed so that employees will not be exposed to an ingoing nip
point,
which can be created between the rear of the platform and the structure
of the powered industrial truck, as a platform is raised and lowered,
4.be designed so that personnel on the platform are protected from moving
parts of the truck,
5.be horizontal and centered and not tilted forward or rearward when
elevated,
6.be moved in a smooth steady fashion when personnel are on it,
7.be moved only when the personnel on it specifically request that it be
moved,
8.be moved after it has been elevated, when there are personnel on it, only
when there is a need for minor horizontal adjustments,
9.be provided with a fall protection system if it is elevated more that
four
feet above the walking/working surface or is above or adjacent to
dangerous equipment.  If a guardrail system is used it shall:
a.consist of a toprail, approximately 42 inches in height, a midrail
approximately 21 inches in height, and a toeboard if operating
conditions necessitate such equipment,b.be provided with a toprail, which
will not deflect to less than 39
inches above the platform, when a 200 pound force is imposed on
it,
c.be provided with a toprail which will not fail when a 200 pound
force is imposed on it.
10.be provided with fall protection, at the opening used for access and
egress
from it, which provides protection equivalent to that of a standard
guardrail system, and
11.have a slip resistant surface.
B.the truck shall:
1.be operated on a level surface and have firm and level footing,
2.be operated so that overhead obstructions are avoided,
3.be operated so that personnel do not come closer to overhead electric
equipment than permitted by OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.333,
4.be equipped with overhead protection if operating conditions necessitate
such protection,
5.have all operating controls set at neutral and the parking brake set when
personnel are on an elevated platform,
6.have a qualified operator at the controls whenever personnel are on an
elevated platform,
7.not be moved after the platform has been raised into position, while
personnel are on the platform, except when minor horizontal adjustments
of the platform must be made, and
8.be loaded to no more than one half the capacity of the truck, as
indicated
on the nameplate of the truck on which the platform is used.
C.signage, per paragraph (c)(3) of OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.145, shall be
utilized when needed to protect the elevated personnel from injury,
D.an effective means of communications between the truck operator and the
personnel on the platform shall be provided.  (If the noise level is low,
this may
be done orally.)

Issued

Jul 29, 1996

Abate by

Aug 31, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,300 · Current $975 Reduced

Issued

Jul 29, 1996

Abate by

Aug 31, 1996

Penalty

Initial $1,300 · Current $975 Reduced

Issued

Jul 29, 1996

Abate by

Aug 11, 1996

Issued

Jul 29, 1996

Abate by

Aug 31, 1996

Issued

Jul 29, 1996

Abate by

Aug 2, 1996

Issued

Jul 29, 1996

Abate by

Aug 2, 1996