OSHA Inspection: HI-LOW CLIMBERS

Issued

Jul 9, 1999

Abate by

Jul 13, 1999

Penalty

Initial $3,500 · Current $3,000 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 the hazard of falling from an elevation or being caught in
the operating
mechanism of the forklift while working from a wooden pallet raised on the
forks of a forklift
truck.
a)  On or about January 14, 1999,  an employee who was repairing an air
leak at the
ceiling level used a wooden pallet on the raised forks of a forklift truck
as a work
platform.  The pallet measured approximately 35-1/2 inches by 45-3/4
inches.  The
surface of the pallet did not provide a suitable and stable surface on
which to stand.  The
surface consisted of a 3-1/2 inch board on either end of the pallet, and
three pairs of 3-
1/2 inch boards between the end boards.  The 4 openings between the boards
were
3-1/2,
4-1/2, 5-1/2, and 5-1/2.  The surface of the boards did not provide a flat
and non-slip
surface.  The pallet did not have a guard rail to protect the employee
from falling, nor
was the employee tethered.
b)  The pallet was not secured to the forks of the forklift truck to
provide stability, and
to prevent it from moving on the forks or tilting from side to side.
c)  The employee was not protected from the exposed chain and sprocket
mechanism on
the mast that elevates the carriage.
Among others, one feasible and acceptable method of abatement is the use
of a commercially
manufactured safety basket that is specifically designed for use on fork
lifts and meets the
requirements of ANSI Standard B56.1-1975.
Abated.  No documentation required.tion

Issued

Jul 9, 1999

Abate by

Jul 15, 1999

Penalty

Initial $1,250 · Current $1,000 Reduced