OSHA Inspection: RORABAUGH LUMBER CO.

Issued

Jul 21, 1999

Abate by

Aug 10, 1999

Penalty

Initial $300 · Current $195 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 employees in that employees were exposed to falling from a
skid of lumber:
(a) Kiln #2- Employee was standing on top of a skid of lumber, 4 feet x 8
feet
which was elevated on the forks of a powered industrial truck without any
fall
protection. Employee was doing touch up coating of the walls of the kiln
and was
exposed to a fall of approximately 12 feet to the ground.
Among other methods, one feasible and acceptable abatement method to
correct the 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 any 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 requests 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 than
four
feet above the walking/working surfaces or is above or adjacent to
dangerous equipment.  If a guardrail system is used, it shall:
a.consist of a top rail 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 not less than 39 inches above the
platform that will not deflect or fail when a 200 poundforce 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 thru
1910.339,
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 the elevated platform,
6.have a qualified operator at the controls whenever personnel are on the
elevated platform,
7.not to 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 1/2 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 communication 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 21, 1999

Abate by

Jul 26, 1999