OSHA Inspection: MEAD CORPORATION, CHILLICOTHE MILL, FINE PAPER DIV

Issued

Mar 23, 1998

Abate by

May 7, 1998

Penalty

Initial $5,000 · Current $5,000

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:
a)   On or about December 31, 1997, employee(s) of the in-plant railroad
department were
exposed to the hazards of being struck by, run over by or crushed by
moving railcars, tank cars,
box cars, etc., in that there were no specified procedures for safe
movement of railcars.
Employee(s) were directing railcar movements by radio communication only.
The
communication between the conductor (lead person) and the locomotive
operator was not
continuous nor was the distance of the movement of the railcars specified.
The movement was
not stopped in one-half the remaining distance when additional
instructions or communications
were not received.
One feasible and acceptable method of abatement is to develop and adopt
rules and procedures
which are consistent with 49 CFR of the Federal Railroad Administration,
including but not
limited to, 49 CFR 220.49 which states:  "When radio communication is used
in lieu of hand
signals in connection with the switching, backing or pushing of a train,
engine, or car, the
employee directing the movement shall give complete instructions or keep
in continuous radio
contact with employees receiving the instructions.  When backing or
pushing a train, engine or
cars, the distance of the movement must be specified, and the movement
must stop in one-half
the remaining distance unless additional instructions are received.  If
the instructions are not
understood or continuous radio contact is not maintained, the movement
shall be stopped
immediately and may not be resumed until the misunderstanding has been
resolved, radio contact
has been restored, or communication has been achieved by hand signals or
other procedures in
accordance with the operating rules of the railroad."