OSHA Inspection: TODD HELLER, INC.

Issued

Nov 16, 1999

Abate by

Dec 20, 1999

Penalty

Initial $700 · Current $525 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 falls from being lifted on the forks of
powered industrial truck(s):
a)  Bead Plant - An employee was permitted to ride in a box
fastened to a pallet on the forks of a forklift truck.  The
strength of the box and pallet were unknown, the box had not
been fastened to the lifting carriage or forks, and the box
had not been provided with a standard fall protection system,
on or about 10/5/99.
Among other methods, one feasible and accepted method to correct
this hazard is to disallow this practice.  If a situation requires
employees to be lifted on platforms mounted on the forks of powered
industrial truck(s), the hazards must be addressed as follows:
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
an ingoing nip point, which can be created between the
rear of the platform and the structure of the powered
industrial truck, as the 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
request 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 (4) feet above the
walking/working surface or is above or adjacent to
dangerous equipment.  If a guardrail system is used, it
shall:a.  consist of a toprail, 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 which will not
deflect to less than 39 inches above the platform
when a 200-pound force is imposed on it,
c.  be provided with a toprail which will not fail
when a 200-pound force is imposed on it.
10.  be provided with fall protection at the opening used
for access and egress which provides protection
equivalent to that of a standard guardrail system, and
11.  have a slip-resistant surface.
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,
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 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 one-half the capacity
of the truck, as indicated on the nameplate of the
truck on which the platform is used.
Signage, per paragraph (c)(3) of OSHA standard 29 CFR
1910.145, shall be utilized when needed to protect the
elevated personnel from injury.
An effective means of communication between the truckoperator and the
personnel on the platform shall be
provided.
Abatement certification required within 10 days after abatement
date.  The certification shall include a statement that abatement
is complete, the date and method of abatement, and state that
employees and their representatives were informed of this
abatement.

Issued

Nov 16, 1999

Abate by

Nov 19, 1999

Penalty

Initial $2,500 · Current $1,875 Reduced