OSHA Inspection: NYSTA TOLL PLAZA 24

Issued

Aug 13, 2002

Abate by

Jun 15, 2003

General-duty citation text

NYSLL Article 2, Section 27(a)(3)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish to
each of its
employees, employment and a place of employment which was free from
recognized hazards
that are causing or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
its employees and
which will provide reasonable and adequate protection the lives, safety or
health of its
employees in applying this paragraph, fundamental distinctions between
private and public
employment have been recognized.
(a) NYSTA Toll Plaza 24, Albany - During the performance of their assigned
daily work
activities, Toll Collectors and other NYSTA employees, are exposed to the
safety hazard of
being struck by moving motor vehicles while crossing active toll lanes to
access toll booths,
the control building and other work locations without protection afforded
by adequate
controls.  Employee exposure to this hazard may result in serious physical
harm and/or
death.
(1) Reasonable and adequate methods to abate this hazard may include but
are not limited to:
(a)  i) Engineering controls embodies in new or renovated toll plaza
design and construction,         such as overhead walkways or tunnels,
affording access to toll booths without the need
to cross active toll lanes.
ii) The installation of parabolic mirrors at locations at the toll plaza
which would allow
drivers to see the area immediately in front of their vehicles and allow
crossing   or exiting employees to check for traffic without entering or
closely approaching the
lane.
iii) The provision of appropriate means, such as hand bags or other
suitable          containers, by which employees may carry items to be
used while working, such a
cash trays, tickets, forms and permitted optional items, to their toll
booth without
reasonable risk of spillage while still keeping at least hand free.
iv) Advising motorists of crossing employees through the modification or
addition of
traffic signaling devices employing signals of character differing from
those indicating
that the toll has been paid.
(b) Communication of the potential of crossing employees to motorists by
properly
maintaining crosswalk pavement markings according to the Manual of Uniform
Traffic
Devices (MUTCD, Subpart 1A.05, so that no more than ten percent of the
marking is
missing according to inspection criteria set forth by ATSSA in Quality
Standards for
Workzone Traffic Devices.
(c) Communication of the potential of crossing employees to motorists
through the proper use
of pedestrian corrosing signs according to MUTCD 2C.37 and 3B.17.
(d) Modification of the "Crossing Lanes Safely" work rules and subsequent
training to
include the following:
i) The requirement that crossing employees keep at least one hand free for
signaling
traffic, according to the binding safety measure added by the Arbitrator
in his September 9,
1993 written decision on the ETC Safety Grievance brought by Local 72, New
York State
Thruway Employees, IBT, AFL-CIO (page 31).
ii) The use of uniform hand signals, such as the arm straight out with
palm facing
motorist, or other means such as hand held signs or other visual awareness
or signaling
devices, to facilitate reliable communication by the crossing employee to
the motorist.
iii) The prohibition of crossing in front of, or otherwise entering the
front blind spot of
large trucks or other vehicles which limit the frontal field of vision of
the driver.
(e) Periodic inspection of the workplace by the workplace by the employer
to evaluate
employee compliance with lane crossing work rules, with particular
emphasis
on achieving
eye contact and proper communication before proceeding, and the
implementation of
effective progressive disciplinary action to correct deficiencies.