OSHA Inspection: WASTE MANAGEMENT OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

Issued

May 25, 2000

Abate by

Jun 21, 2000

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $7,000

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 hazard of being struck by refuse collection vehicles
operating in reverse:
(a)Sterretts Gap Avenue, Carlisle, Pennsylvania - Employees ride on the
step(s) of
refuse collection vehicle(s) during reverse operation, thereby being
exposed to
being struck by the backing vehicle.   Methods (i.e. route observations)
used to
ensure proper use of the equipment, including adherence to safe practices
were
deficient, as occurred on November 29, 1999.
Among other feasible and useful abatement methods to correct this hazard
is to comply with
American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z245.1, "Mobile Refuse
Collection and
Compaction Equipment - Safety Requirements", Section 6.2.4, Vehicles
Equipped with Riding
Steps which states, "Operators/employees of any vehicle equipped with
riding steps shall be
responsible for ensuring that no persons ride on steps when the vehicle is
backing up, when the
vehicle is exceeding 10 mi/hr. or operating in reverse, or when the
distance travelled exceeds
2/10 mile."  Additionally, ANSI Z245.1, Section 6.1(b) which states, "The
employer shall be
responsible for monitoring the employee's operation of equipment and
taking appropriate action
to ensure proper use of the equipment, including adherence to safe
practices".
VERIFICATION REQUIREDTION

Issued

May 25, 2000

Abate by

Jun 27, 2000

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 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 serious physical harm to employees in that
employees were exposed
to struck by hazards from using inoperative or damaged equipment:
(a)Refuse Truck #302288 - The rear riding step located on the driver's
side was
damaged, thereby exposing employees to falls from the step.
(b)Refuse Truck #302264 - The rear riding step located on the passenger's
side
measured twenty five (25) inches from the ground to step level, thereby
exposing
employees to falls from the step.
(c)Refuse Truck #302289 - The rear riding step(s) on the passenger's and
driver's
sides were damaged, thereby exposing employees to falls from the steps.
(d)Refuse Truck #302287 - The rear riding step(s) on the passenger's and
driver's
sides were damaged, thereby exposing employees to falls from the steps.
Among other feasible and useful abatement methods to correct the above
listed hazards is to
repair the damaged steps and comply with American National Standard
Institute (ANSI) Z245.1
"Mobile Refuse Collection and Compaction Equipment - Safety Requirements",
Section 7.1.10,
Riding Steps, which states, "If provided, riding steps shall have a slip
resistant surface and be
self cleaning, be capable of supporting 500 pound at the point furthest
from its point of
attachment, be mounted not more than twenty four (24) inches above the
road surface, have a
depth of at least eight (8) inches and provide a minimum of two hundred
twenty (220) square
inches of surface area, and be located behind the rearmost axle of the
vehicle, but shall not
extend beyond the rearmost structural portion of the vehicle except as
described in 7.2.2.4.
(e)Refuse Truck #302288 - The light over the right side of the hopper was
not
working, thereby exposing employees to injuries resulting from dimly lit
conditions.
Among other feasible and useful abatement methods to correct the above
hazard is to repair the
light or provide a secondary means of illumination (flashlights) to
employees.
(f)Refuse Truck #302288 - The buzzer signal pushbutton(s) located on
either side
of the tailgate were not working, thereby exposing employees (helpers)  to
injuries resulting from not being able to effectively communicate with the
driver.
These injuries may include but are not limited to being struck by an
adjacent
vehicle or structure while the employee is riding on the step in forward
gear.
(g)Refuse Truck #302287 - The buzzer signal pushbutton(s) located on
either side
of the tailgate were not working, thereby exposing employees (helpers) to
injuries
resulting from not being able to effectively communicate with the driver.
These
injuries may include but are not limited to being struck by an adjacent
vehicle or
structure while the employee is riding on the step in forward gear.
(h)Refuse Truck #302289 - The buzzer signal pushbutton(s) located on
either side
of the tailgate were not working, thereby exposing employees (helpers)  to
injuries resulting from not being able to effectively communicate with the
driver.
These injuries may include but are not limited to being struck by an
adjacent
vehicle or structure while the employee is riding on the step in forward
gear.
(i)Refuse Truck #302273 - The buzzer signal pushbutton(s) located on
either side
of the tailgate were not working, thereby exposing employees (helpers)  to
injuries resulting from not being able to effectively communicate with the
driver.
These injuries may include but are not limited to being struck by an
adjacent
vehicle or structure while the employee is riding on the step in forward
gear.
(j)Refuse Truck #302283 - The buzzer signal pushbutton(s) located on
either side
of the tailgate were not working, thereby exposing employees (helpers)  to
injuries resulting from not being able to effectively communicate with the
driver.
These injuries may include but are not limited to being struck by an
adjacent
vehicle or structure while the employee is riding on the step in forward
gear.
Among other feasible and useful abatement methods to correct the above
listed hazard is to
operate the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
contained in Leach
2RII Packmaster Operators Manual.
(k)Recycle Truck #503347 - The video camera/monitoring system (CCTV) was
not
working, thereby exposing employees to injuries resulting from contacting
moving
vehicles and/or structures.
(l)Truck #100376 - The video camera/monitoring system (CCTV) was not
working,
thereby exposing employees to injuries resulting from contacting moving
vehicles
and/or structures.
(m)Truck #500683 (Old #1142) - The video camera/monitoring system (CCTV)was
not working, thereby exposing employees to injuries resulting from
contacting
moving vehicles and/or structures.
(n)Truck #500673 (Old #1141) - The video camera/monitoring system (CCTV)
was
not working, thereby exposing employees to injuries resulting from
contacting
moving vehicles  and/or structures.
Among other feasible and useful abatement methods to correct the above
listed hazard is to
repair or replace defective equipment.
VERIFICATION REQUIRED FOR THE ABOVE LISTED ITEMSD

Issued

May 25, 2000

Abate by

Aug 26, 2000

Penalty

Initial $7,000 · Current $3,500 Reduced

Issued

May 25, 2000

Abate by

Jun 21, 2000

Penalty

Initial $2,000 · Current $1,000 Reduced

Issued

May 25, 2000

Abate by

Jun 21, 2000

Penalty

Initial $50,000 · Current $44,000 Reduced