OSHA Inspection: VERNOR MATERIAL EQUIPMENT

Issued

Jan 20, 1995

Abate by

Apr 23, 1995

Penalty

Initial $1,750 · 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:
(a)the recognized hazard of being struck by large industrial motor vehicles
with obstructed operator views while operating in confined areas of the
materials yard.
Among other methods one means is to institute a program to
control the operations of large industrial motor vehicles in the
workplace. Such a program may include, but is not necessarily
limited to, elements such as the following:
1)A survey of the workplace to identify areas where
large industrial motor vehicles, including but not
limited to, such vehicles as front-end loaders, dump
trucks, and belly dump tractor-semi-trailer
combinations, so as to determine the potential for
vehicular accidents involving pedestrians and small
motor vehicles and the factors that would contribute
to such accidents, including but not limited to
obstructed operator vision, blind corners, restricted
operational areas, and other factors such as
excessive noise levels.
2)The development of a system, based upon the
survey findings, to control either the operations of
large industrial motor vehicles where pedestrians
and small motor vehicles must be present during
such operations, or to control the presence of
pedestrian and small motor vehicles where a need
exists to operate large industrial motor vehicles
continuously due to process requirements. Such as
system should include elements as the following:
a)The designation of zones restricting
pedestrian and small motor vehicle
traffic where a need exists to operate
large industrial motor vehicles
continuously due to process
requirements, as specified by
Chapter 12 of the National Safety
Council Accident Prevention
Handbook, 10th Edition.
b)The development of work rules
requiring a ground man (ground
guide) working with any large
industrial motor vehicle required to
operate in areas of the workplace
where small motor vehicles and
pedestrians are routinely present, as
specified by Chapter 12 of the
National Safety Council Accident
Prevention Handbook, 10th Edition.
c)The development of work rules and
establishment of restricted access
zones, warning signals, barricades
and procedures to the followed
whenever large industrial motor
vehicles are under maintenance, to
ensure that all employees are clear of
any potential hazards (i.e. struck-by
and/or caught-in) prior to operating
said vehicles for maintenance
purposes, as specified by Chapter 12
of the National Safety Council
Accident Prevention Handbook, 10th
Edition.
3)The training of all employees in the provision of the
program, including initial training for all current
employees, training presented to all new hires prior
to their employment in the yard area, and retraining
as indicated by ongoing supervision of the employee
group.
Disclaimers:
1)You are not limited to the abatement methods
suggested above.
2)The methods explained are general and may not be
effective in all cases.
3)The employer is responsible for selecting and
carrying out an appropriate method.
Abatement Plan:
30 Days - Identify hazard and develop a program.
60 Days - Formulate a training program.
90 Days - Implement training of current employees and new hires.